Hampered by a four-point first quarter and more tentative than in their first two games of the season, the South Whidbey boys never put enough distance between themselves and Lakewood Friday night.

Visiting the Cougars, the Falcons recovered from their slow start and took a one-point lead on five straight free throws by junior guard Travis Tornga late in the fourth quarter before the hammer came down. With 18 seconds remaining in the game, Lakewood’s Bryce Barker erased gains made by Tornga and a Brandon Adams field goal with a clutch three-pointer to give his team the 46-45 win.

After scoring more than 70 points in each of their last two games, the loss at Lakewood came in a game with a slow pace and bad shooting karma. Just 14 for 40 from the field, the Falcons made their living on the line, hitting 14 of 24 free throws to the Cougars’ seven. The lack of field goals made the game a tough one to win, especially since the ball was not particularly available.

“The possessions lasted longer,” said Andy Davis, the Falcons’ coach.

That, plus eight first-quarter turnovers, had the South Whidbey boys in a deep hole from the start. Helping dig them out was senior Forest Holder, who put up 14 points to lead his team. Also aiding in the comeback was post Bill Schneeman with five steals and 10 rebounds, Adams with six rebounds and Brandon Turner with five points and five assists.

It all helped as the Falcons outscored the Cougars in all but the first quarter. But the damage was done and there was no undoing it.

Davis credited his boys with staying cool in the game’s late minutes. Losing on Barker’s three-pointer was something that could hardly be helped.

“He hit a tough shot,” he said.

After they play Sultan on the road this Thursday, the Falcons head out to New York to play high school teams in Lynbrook and East Rockaway.