NEDERLAND — The Memorial Titans outscored the Nederland Bulldogs 13-3 in the fourth quarter to escape with a 48-43 victory at Nederland High School on Friday.

With the win, the Titans earned at least a share of the District 21-5A championship. Barbers Hill can win the other share if it beats Nederland at home Tuesday.

The Titans (24-6, 11-1 in 21-5A) looked like they would have to settle for a loss on their last game of the regular season after a slow start put the Bulldogs (21-12, 7-4) on top 15-4 at the end of the first quarter.

The Titans only hit two of their first nine shots with all of their points coming by way of fast breaks.

The Titans pulled within three points to make the score 23-20 with just under three minutes to go in the first half, but Nederland was able to hold them off and head to the locker room with a 28-20 lead.

Bulldog guard Hayden Hefner provided multiple spark-plug plays for Nederland scoring 14 points and three blocks. Hefner added seven points in the third quarter, and the Bulldogs went into the fourth period with a 40-35 lead.

The Titans were able to hold Hefner in check in the fourth quarter, holding him scoreless and causing him to receive a technical foul.

Memorial head coach Alden Lewis said he challenged his team to pick up the intensity.

“We gained energy,” he said. “The kids came out with much more energy in the second half. They started playing harder and executing. We were able to eventually able to cut the lead down and take the lead.”

Early foul trouble kept Memorial big man Nathan Clover on the bench. Titan junior Kenneth Lofton Jr. stepped up grabbing 13 rebounds and 11 points.

“I always say that I have two of the best bigs in the state of Texas,” Lewis said. “When one off, the other is on. We rely heavily on those guys and they pulled it off.”

Lewis said the win was big for Titans as they head into the playoffs where games are sure to be close.

“It’s all about overcoming adversity,” he said. “The kids stepped up and we needed that going into the playoffs. I can’t ask much more from them. They stepped up and executed.”

Bulldogs head coach Brian English said his team played three quarters of good basketball.

“[The Titans] switched to straight man and we didn’t handle it very well,” he said. “We have to make plays. If you play like that in the fourth quarter, you don’t deserve to win. If we don’t play four good quarters, we won’t last long in the playoffs.

The Bulldogs will play their next game at Barbers Hill on Tuesday.