PEARLAND — Dawson entered the District 22-6A showdown against South Houston with a perfect 7-0 record, but when the final buzzer sounded, the Eagles were on the short end of the scoreboard at home 52-47 leaving the Trojans sitting alone atop of the league standings.

The Eagles haven't played well the last couple of games slipping past Dobie 38-28 before succumbing to South Houston.

“They out-hustled us to every loose ball," Dawson head coach Mark Barre said. "That was totally the case. When the ball went on the ground, they were the first ones to it. They were just tougher than we were.”

Barre has been looking for a few players to step up to lead the team this season, but so far he hasn't found that combination of leaders to provide intensity and energy.

South Houston took control early in the game to build a 12-6 first quarter lead. The Trojans went on a 8-3 run before the Eagles finally rallied late in the second quarter to go on a 10-4 run making the score 24-19 at intermission in favor of South Houston.

The Eagles outscored the Trojans in the third 17-9 to take a 36-33 lead.

South Houston scored a 3-pointer to tie up the game at 36-36 before Dawson's Jules Moor knocked down two free throws to give the Eagles the 38-36 lead again with 5:47 left in the game.

But that would be the last lead for Dawson as South Houston turned up their intensity and outhustled the Eagles down the stretch starting with a 6-0 run for a 42-38 advantage.

South Houston would out score Dawson in the final three minutes 10-9 hitting 10-of-14 from the charity stripe.

The Trojans took advantage of over five minutes in the final period that Dawson didn't score.

The first basket for the Eagles came with only 2:24 left in the game when Karl Nicholas stole a pass and scored on a breakaway dunk pulling Dawson within 42-40. But that would be a close as the Eagles would get down the stretch.

Moor led the Eagles with 13 points while Paul Taulton added 10.

“We had a couple missed one-and-ones, which is four points, and then South Houston just out-hustled us in the fourth quarter,” Barre said. “It’s a simple game.

“Whoever makes the plays is going to win. They make free throws, we don’t. They make baskets, we don’t. That’s the game.”

Dawson travels to face Sam Rayburn on Friday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. The Eagles return home on Tuesday, January 26 to host Pasadena Memorial at 7:00 p.m.