NAMPA - After taking the long road to state and battling its way to the 2A championship game, Aberdeen was out-hustled and out-shot by Firth on Saturday at the Idaho Center in Nampa.

As a result, the Tigers went home runners-up after losing 49-42 to the Cougars, who won their third straight state crown.

"Firth did a good job of getting tips and steals, and I think that frustrated us a little bit," said Aberdeen guard Cody Snyder.

Firth set the tone early, practically setting up camp in Aberdeen's passing lanes and creating nine first-half turnovers, most of them during the first quarter. Although the Tigers actually shot a better percentage from the field during the first half, the turnovers led to more opportunities for the the Cougars.

"We just had to settle down and take care of the ball," said Aberdeen coach Quinn Aldous. "This group has never been here before, so I think there was a little nerves."

With Aberdeen trailing 17-10 going into the second quarter, Snyder said he tried to take the game on his shoulders and get his team going.

"We were a little flat. I thought maybe if I could get one, it would lead to another, and it would spark us," he said. "But Firth played good defense."

Snyder started driving to the hoop every chance he got, managing to score six points in the quarter. The Tigers took the lead 21-20 when the senior took a defensive rebound coast-to-coast and put in the layup.

Firth took the lead back on its next possession, but Snyder managed to tie it 22-22 witha free throw. The Cougars, however, finished the first half on a 6-0 run and took the lead for good.

Aberdeen's offense tends to thrive as much on the outside as it does on the inside, but it was beyond the arc where the team died on Saturday. The Tigers missed all 11 of the 3-pointers they attempted, including eight during the second half.

"We've averaged about six (made) 3-pointers a game," Aldous said. "It opens up the inside for us. We probably could have gone inside more today."

While the Tigers took better care of the ball during the second half, turning it over just six times, their 40 percent shooting from the field shriveled to just 26 percent. Overall, Aberdeen shot 32 percent from the field during the game compared with 38 percent for Firth (22-4).

Snyder was Aberdeen's top scorer, finishing the game with 13 points. Aaron Schritter added nine points and nine rebounds in the losing effort. Aberdeen finished its season 21-6.

"Overall, I am really proud of our guys," Aldous said. "(Firth) has been beating people by 30 points all season, so we hung in there pretty good."