The Forrest Rockets lost their third game in a row Tuesday night, falling in a close 68-62 contest to Summertown at Chapel Hill.

“We thought we came out with the right attitude and toughness to be successful in this game,” Forrest coach Corey Bishop said. “I was really proud of the way we battled and fought through some adverse situations.”

The Rockets had their best balanced scoring attack of the season with nine players tallying in the scorebook, including three players in double figures.

“I think that playing multiple guys throughout the game was beneficial for us,” Bishop said. “It keeps everyone ready to go where they can play to their max potential.”

“I was really proud of our team and how we played. Summertown is always a good measuring game for your program.”

Freshman Brennan Mealer led the way once again for the Rockets with 20 points, including six 3-pointers.

CJ Sanchez and Walker Herring had 10 points apiece, Hunter Bennett got hot late for nine points, Deason Jones netted five, Andrew Timmons had three, Cole Perryman and Josh Rumley added two points apiece, and Tayton Swift made one free throw.

The Rockets held a slim 4-0 lead early behind baskets by Rumley and Sanchez before Summertown took a 12-9 lead.

A Sanchez 3-pointer tied the game up, but the Eagles used a late 7-2 run to lead 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Summertown continued its hot streak to begin the second period and led 25-17 when Sanchez canned a field goal and after an Eagles’ missed shot, Mealer went downtown to cut the lead to three points.

Moments later, Forrest cut the lead to just two points on a Swift free throw before the Eagles went on a 5-0 mini-run to end the first half with a 34-27 lead.

The Eagles maintained the seven-point lead early in the second half at 45-38 when the Rockets exploded behind Bennett, who started a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer and a driving layup.

Sanchez ended the burst with the game-tying field goal before Summertown scored four straight points in the paint.

Forrest cut the lead to a single digit on two occasions before finally taking the lead at 52-51 on a Bennett basket with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter.

Summertown tied the game on a Kaden Trotter free throw, but the Rockets came up with a Herring bucket in the low post to take a 54-52 to the fourth quarter.

“We have the capability of having one of those quarters every game,” Bishop said. “Our defensive intensity is going to feed our offense and in the third quarter I thought that was evident.”

“There used to be a time where we struggled to score 27 points in a game. It's crazy to see how far we have come in a short amount of time in the program.”

The Eagles managed to open up a five-point lead at 59-54 when Mealer and Bennett drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to give Forrest a 60-59 lead with 3:25 remaining in the contest.

Gavin Burleson, who led all scorers in the contest with 21 points, drilled a 3-pointer for Summertown before Herring hit two free throws to tie the game at 62 with just over two minutes to play.

The Rockets (2-4) did not score again and Summertown (3-2) scored the final six points of the game from the free throw to claim the win.

“We thought we had some makeable shots at the end that just barely missed,” Bishop said. “I wasn't too pleased with my effort towards the end of the game coaching.”

“I need to do a better job of putting our guys in better situations late in games. It's something we will improve on as the season goes on.”

The Rockets will not make the trip to Moore County Friday night due to COVID with the Raiders and Forrest will be back in action on Tuesday night when they host Lawrence County (4-2).

Summertown 19 15 18 16-68

Forrest 14 13 27 8-62

Summertown (68): Gavin Burleson 21, Skyler Trousdale 14, Zane Atkins 9, Grant Burleson 9, Kaden Trotter 6, Mayson Burleson 5, Jake Smith 2, Javen Edmiston 2.

Three-Point Goals (5): Javen Edmiston2, Trousdale 2, Atkins.

Free Throws (20-for-32): Gavin Burleson 9-for-15, Trousdale 2-for-4, Trotter 2-for-4, Grant Burleson 3-for-4, Smith 2-for-2, Atkins 1-for-2, Mayson Burleson 1-for-1.

Forrest (62): Brennan Mealer 20, CJ Sanchez 10, Walker Herring 10, Hunter Bennett 9, Deason Jones 5, Andrew Timmons 3, Cole Perryman 2, Josh Rumley 2, Tayton Swift 1.

Three-Point Goals (9): Mealer 6, Jones, Bennett, Sanchez.

Free Throws (9-for-12): Herring 4-for-4, Jones 2-for-2, Timmons 1-for-2, Swift 1-for-2, Sanchez 1-for-2.

Halftime Score: Summertown 34, Forrest 27.