TEXARKANA — The Central Texas Blackhawks led by as many as two goals but couldn’t hang on in the end, dropping a 4-3 shootout decision to the Texarkana Bandits on Friday night at Four States Arena.

Both teams moved to 12-15-1 for 25 points in the North American Hockey League. Central Texas has lost five straight games.

After a fierce Bandits rally to tie the game and a scoreless overtime, the teams were set for a shootout.

Texarkana’s lone shootout goal by Meryl Waldrop was all the Bandits needed, as Central Texas was 0-for-5.

Greg Barret got the win in goal for Texarkana, saving 29 of 32 shots. Blackhawks goalie Tyler Chestnut was 28-of-32.

After goals by Eric Tetzlaff and Alekcei McAvoy, the Hawks had a 2-1 lead after the first period.

To start the second, Jake Sparks took a pass from Eric Sefchik and Tim Dunkin to convert on one of the Blackhawks’ league-leading seven shorthanded goals. The Bandits answered to narrow the score to 3-2 by the end of the second.