CARMEL  – The Warsaw boys basketball team may have lost a game Saturday night.

The Tigers though proved they can play with the best in the state.

Warsaw dropped a 45-40 final to No. 4 Carmel in a matchup of Class 4-A teams.

The host Greyhounds, who won state titles in 2012 and 2013, used a strong first-half performance and then held off the Tigers in the final half.

Carmel, which improved to 19-2 with its sixth straight win, hit four 3pointers in the first frame to take a 12-6 lead. The hosts stretched the lead to 27-14 at halftime by using a 12-4 run to close the first half. Carmel hit six treys in the opening half.

Warsaw, which saw its five-game winning streak snapped, struggled shooting and rebounding in the opening half versus the tall and talented Greyounds. The Tigers were just 5-15 from the field, while Carmel shot 10-20 in the opening half.

“We did shoot well or rebound well in the first half, so consequently we end up down 13 at half,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle.

The Tigers got right back in the game in the third quarter thanks in large part to Tim Swanson. The sweet-shooting senior got dialed in from distance to hit a trio of triples as Warsaw pulled within 35-31 after the third period of play.

Carmel, whose two losses this season have been to North Central and Brownsburg, then held off the Tigers in the final frame.

“I am encouraged by how we played in the second half, especially the third quarter,” remarked Ogle. “Carmel is difficult to play against because they are big and stay in position defensively. Ryan Cline was the best player in the game as he usually is. For us, Tim Swanson shot well and rebounded well.”

“The take away from this game for us is that we must become a more consistent team in terms of our effort in rebounding situations.”

Swanson had a strong game as he led the Tigers with 14 points, including hitting 4-6 from deep.

Kyle Mangas and Rashaan Jackson each had nine points for Warsaw. Paul Marandet finished with four points and Jake Mangas and Riley Rhoades each had two.

Warsaw, now 17-4, shot 15-32 overall for the game and were 5-14 on threes. The Tigers hit 5-7 free throws and had just three turnovers, but were out rebounded 21-14.

Senior standout shooting guard Ryan Cline led Carmel with 17 points and seven rebounds. The 6-5 Cline, who will play at Purdue next year, hit 3-9 from 3-point land. Keegan Culp had 14 points for the Greyhounds.

Carmel shot 15-31 overall from the field, including 6-15 on threes. The hosts were 9-11 from the line and had seven turnovers.

Warsaw will host No. 10 Carroll (Allen) on Friday night in the regular-season finale. Carroll is 21-2 with both losses coming to Homestead and have won 12 in a row. Carmel will host Brebeuf Friday night.

Carmel won the junior varsity game 55-25. Evan Schmidt had eight points and Rane Kilburn five to lead Warsaw.