Lady Wildcats top Pine Bluff

El Dorado put an end to its eight-game losing streak Friday with a 45-40 5A South win over Pine Bluff at Wildcat Arena. The Lady Wildcats improved to 2-9, 1-2 while the Fillies fell to 1-7, 0-3.

El Dorado trailed 40-36 with 2:57 remaining before ending the game on a 9-0 run.

El Dorado coach Makara Frazier said the victory was what her team needed as the Christmas break approaches.

“It was huge because we really needed to see a win and get back to us,” she said. “Get one under our belt to understand it's possible and we're capable of winning if we put a whole game together.”

The Lady Wildcats had a 9-point lead late in the third and were up 34-27 to start the fourth. The Fillies would score 13 of the next 15 points. Madison Cookes had eight points during the run and Tanya Jackson hit a pair of buckets, including a lay-up with 2:57 left to give Pine Bluff a 40-36 cushion.

The Lady Wildcats aggressively drove to the hoop and were rewarded with trips to the free throw line. Amiria Jackson hit 3-of-4 foul shots and Damecia McDaniel drained two at the line. Jackson's bucket put El Dorado up 43-40 with 28.1 remaining.

Pine Bluff's Jackson had an open look from three on the left wing but missed with 10 seconds left. El Dorado's Jackson ran the ball up the court and hit a jumper at the buzzer for the final margin.

“We finally decided to attack the basket,” said Frazier. “The third quarter they kind of got in foul trouble fast and we got away from that. Once we finally went back to going at them, we were able to get to the free throw line. That helped a lot. I thought we shot pretty well in that fourth quarter from the free throw line.”

Destin Lewis had 12 points and eight rebounds to lead El Dorado. Jackson scored nine with Makhiya Tillis adding six points and eight boards.

Tanya Jackson scored 15 for Pine Bluff with Cookes adding nine.

Pine Bluff pulled away late to win the boys' game 63-53 on Friday. The Zebras improved to 3-1, 3-0 while the Wildcats slipped to 1-7, 0-3.

More coverage on this game will be in the Monday edition.