PINCONNING - Mar. 4, 2010 - It wasn't the regular-season finish Pinconning had in mind.

The Spartans had a chance to tie their best-ever regular-season record with a win against Bay City Central on Thursday, but started slowly and finished sloppily in a 39-33 defeat to the Wolves. The loss also ended Pinny's seven-game win streak.

"We didn't play well in any aspect of the game," said Pinconning coach Tim Floyd. "We rushed our shots, we turned the ball over and we missed free throws.

"We had a chance to win but turnovers in four of five possessions down the stretch don't give you much of a chance."

Back-to-back layups by Travis Garbulinski off passes from Lucas Foco pulled the Spartans to within 34-33 with 1:15 left. But the Spartans couldn't hang on to the ball in the final minute, getting off only one field goal attempt, missing two free throws and allowing the Wolves to pull away.

Central outscored the Spartans 17-7 in the second quarter to build a 23-12 lead, though Pinny picked up a bit of momentum on the final play when Garbulinski caught Casey Pashak's 30-foot desperation heave and banked in a reverse layup at the buzzer.

A 3-pointer by Derrick Marquiss and a three point play by Pashak helped the Spartans get back to within six after three quarters, and Pashak added five points early in the fourth quarter to get Pinny to within one.

Bay City Central tried to kill the clock with a delay game, but turnovers kept Pinny in it until the final minute.

Deon Martin led Central (7-13) with 14 points, with Cam Sullivan adding 11.

Garbulinski led the Spartans (16-4) with 10 points.

Pinny faces Bridgeport on Monday to open district tournament play at home.

"We'd better have adjusted to this style of play," Floyd said. "We'll see more of this Monday, and if we're not ready, it'll be a long night."