The Dillon Wildcats battled the Loris Lions to a 72-71 win in boys basketball action on Monday night in Loris.

Dillon took a three-point lead in the first quarter as they outscored Loris 21-18, but Loris outscored Dillon 19-15 in the second to take a 37-36 lead over the Wildcats going into the half.The Lions roared back onto the court for a 17-11 third quarter to carry a 54-47 lead into the final quarter. Dillon fought hard to overcome the deficit adding 22 points to cut Loris’s lead to 71-69. With only seconds left in the game, Julius Saunders started a drive that ended with a last-second three-pointer from Jalik Bethea to give Dillon the 72-71 win.

Bethea had 17 points in the win, with Kwinton Smith leading all scorers with a game-high 18 points. Breon Page added 11 points in the win, and Julius Saunders scored 10, with Shaqui Cabbagestalk and Eri’Reon Hayes each earning six. Hyfice Dixon scored two points, and Lavaris Hargrove and Maurice Williams each added one point in a game where every point truly counted.

Loris was led by Devante Claridy with a team-high 16 points, followed by Travante Wilson with 13, Tyree Floyd with 12, and Trois Bennett with nine. Deontae Wideman scored seven; Kentrez Hilton, six; Latrez Chestnut, four; and Stefone Clark and Damien Ford each added two.

The Wildcats are now 11-12 overall and 5-4 in Region 8-AA With one game left in the regular season, Dillon is on track to finish third in the region. Loris slips to 4-15 overall and 2-7 in the region.

The Lady Wildcats also reportedly won their game against Loris on Monday, but final scores and stats were not available at press time. The girls will also likely finish third in the region with a 6-3 in the region record and a 16-7 overall.

Dillon was scheduled to travel to face Waccamaw on Wednesday for their final game of the regular season with the Class AA Lower State Championships set to begin on Wednesday, February 15.

Look for more playoff details in Tuesday’s issue of THE DILLON HERALD!