Pinson Valley started the game slow and had to play catch-up to Guntersville all night, but could not get any closer than four points in the late going as the Wildcats beat the Indians 56-51 in Friday’s second round of the WQSB Christmas Classic boys basketball tournament at Albertville.

The Tribe staged a late comeback attempt, outscoring the Cats by 10 points in the fourth quarter, but it simply was not enough.

Zack Jackson led Pinson with 11 points and eight rebounds, and Cordaius Reese added eight points.

Most of Guntersville’s scoring came from three players: Darris Stewart with a game-high 21 points, Blake Kennedy with 16 and Jordan Brown with 11.

The Indians play Holly Pond at 1 p.m. Saturday in the consolation bracket.