Box Score TUCSON - The Tucson Sugar Skulls took care of business in a critical game with playoff implications on the line against the Vegas Knight Hawks by a score of 39-32. 

It came down to the final play, and the Sugar Skulls got a key stop with their backs against the wall. 

Playoff Implications 

Along with Tucson's win, the Duke City Gladiators lost to the Arizona Rattlers, which gives the Sugar Skulls some breathing room in the standings out west. They now hold a 1.5-game lead over the Gladiators and a 2.5-game lead over the Knight Hawks with 4 games left to play. Both Duke City and Vegas each have just three games remaining, and a win secures Tucson a playoff spot. 

It wasn't an easy or pretty win, as Vegas absolutely dominated the time of possession with a 39:16 to 20:44 advantage over Tucson, including a 9-minute drive to open the third quarter.

Rare Mistake

Quarterback Daquan Neal threw just his second interception of the season in the first quarter off a tipped pass. He had thrown for 26 straight touchdowns without an interception before that. Neal finished the game with 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 133 passing yards on 11-of-16 pass attempts. 

Offensive Struggles 

The first half was an uncharacteristically low-scoring first half of action for the Skulls, as they scored just 13 points and trailed 19-13 heading into the half. Jovon White was inches away from beating the last defender to take a kickoff return to the house. That would've tied it at 19 before the extra point after the impressive 42-yard return as time expired. 

The offense erupted for a much more usual 26-point second half to retake the lead for good. 

Defense on the rise?

The Sugar Skulls defense has drastically improved as a unit as the season has progressed. In their last three contests, they've allowed their season-low in points in each game, with their opponent scoring 34, 33, and now 32 points. The steady defensive play has allowed them to not lean on the offense so heavily and gut out wins like this one without being a one-trick pony. 

Skulls' Standouts

Mike Jones- 42 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 1 reception, 6 receiving yards. 

Carrington Thompson- 5 receptions, 42 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns

Robert Rolle IV- 6 tackles (team-high), 1 pass breakup

Up next?

Tucson will travel up the I-10 to face their in-state rival Arizona Rattlers for the second time this season.