AUBURN HILLS - Feb. 6, 2010 - A strange game in an premier venue ended with a last-second shot Saturday as Tawas Area handed Hale its first defeat of the season at the Palace of Auburn Hills, 33-32.

D.J. Decker hit the game-winner as time expired to lift the Braves to victory on the Detroit Pistons' home floor.

Both teams focused on getting everyone playing time through the first three quarters. The unusual substitution patterns and stadium setting combined to stymie most of both teams' scoring efforts. Hale led 14-6 at halftime and 18-16 heading to the fourth quarter.

"Ugly basketball," said Hale coach Ryan Parkinson. "It s always tough to get anything going down in that arena. It is an experience that the boys can enjoy."

With the starters on the floor in the fourth quarter, Decker and Jesse Siwek each scored six points to get the Braves going offensively, while Christian Moody scored seven points in the quarter for Hale.

Decker and Siwek led Tawas (6-7) with eight points for the game.

"(The experience) was great," said Tawas coach Drew Decker. "The kids have something to remember for the rest of their life."

Moody finished with 14 points for the Eagles (12-1), with Ben Katterman adding eight.

Tawas returns to action at Oscoda on Tuesday, Feb. 9, while Hale has a week to prepare for visiting a hot Posen squad on Feb. 12.

Hale's lone regular season loss last season was at the Palace, to NEMC champion Pinconning.

"It would be nice," Parkinson said, "to get a win down there someday."