The Patriots plodded their way through a 70-58 win over Sweet Water Thursday night to close out their regular-season area play at 7-1.

According to head coach Joe Eatmon, the game was among the worst of the team’s current 10-game win streak.

“Most teams would be happy with the win,” Eatmon said. “But we know right now we need to be clicking on all cylinders, getting ready for the area tournament.”

Eatmon’s squad finishes the regular season as the top team in the Class 1A, Area 5, giving the Patriots the right to host the upcoming area tournament.

The team opened slowly Thursday night, a problem that Eatmon says Linden has faced frequently this season. It is also one he knows could prove detrimental in the postseason if not corrected.

“Sometimes you can dig yourself a hole so big you can’t get out it it,” Eatmon said. “But we’re working on it. We’ll have it fixed by the area tournament.”

The Pats carried a 15-13 lead into the second quarter before heading to the locker room at halftime with a 30-26 lead. Linden relied upon a 20-point fourth quarter to pull away from the Bulldogs.

“Kendarius (Goodwill), he had a big night and carried us pretty much the whole game,” Eatmon said of the Patriots’ standout senior. “Andrew (Rogers) had probably 14 of his 20 points in the second half.”

Goodwill led the way with a triple-double, turning in 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocked shots on the night.

Rogers added 20 for the Patriots.

“Those two guys, they carried us tonight,” Eatmon said. “We didn’t play very well.”

Antonio Landrum led Sweet Water with 16 points. Chris Landrum added 12 while Jule Gaines ended the game with 11.

Linden plays again Saturday when it hosts Demopolis. The Patriots’ next and final game of the season will come on the road against Livingston on Jan. 31.