Hot Springs uses late run to stave off Wildcats

Hot Springs went on a 20-2 run in the fourth quarter and beat El Dorado 62-50 Friday night in 5A South action at Wildcat Arena. The Wildcats fell to 2-12 in league play.

El Dorado used a 14-2 run to build a 44-39 lead going into the fourth quarter. But the Wildcats managed just six points the rest of the way.

Tyrell Honey hit a 3-pointer and Derrick Hicks scored inside for the Trojans to tie the game at 44-44 with 7:02 left to play. J Prince Roberson answered with a short jumper to give El Dorado's its final lead with six minutes remaining.

Hot Springs would score 15 unanswered points. Octavious Rhodes scored to put the Trojans up 50-46 with 3:32 left. The Wildcats would miss four free throws in a row as the lead swelled to 59-40 with less than a minute remaining.

El Dorado's scoring drought in the fourth quarter lasted more than five minutes.

Kendall Williams scored 18 points in the paint to pace the Trojans. Honey added 11 and Rhodes eight.

Bryson Boulden led El Dorado with 12 points while Roberson scored 10. Isaiah Robinson chipped in with eight.

El Dorado shot 7-of-18 at the free throw line.

The Trojans led 10-2 before the Wildcats closed the gap to 14-10 after one quarter. Hot Springs led 28-24 at the intermission.

El Dorado's deficit was 37-30 midway in the third before Boulden sparked a 14-2 run. The senior's 3-pointer closed the gap to 37-36. Honey hit two free throws for the Trojans but Jeremiah Frazier got rough inside for a bucket and then a free throw. Deontae James scored on a steal and lay-in. Frazier hit another free throw and Boulden's bucket to close the third gave the Wildcats a 44-39 advantage.

El Dorado travels to Hot Springs Lakeside on Tuesday before the season finale next Friday against Lake Hamilton at Wildcat Arena.