The game was closer than the final score indicated, but it is ultimately the score that counts in the win-loss column.

That being said, Eureka’s 69-45 Western 7B conference win over host Superior last week was well earned by the Lions.

The two teams battled back and forth through the first eight minutes of play, with Eureka managing to secure a 16-12 lead at the conclusion of the opening quarter.

Eureka kept up the pressure defense and had just enough scoring advantage to then pull away to a 36-25 halftime lead by outscoring the Bobcats 20-13 in the second quarter.

But as is the case with this young Superior team, they keep coming.

Each team scored 15 points in the third quarter, making it a 51-40 Eureka advantage heading into the final quarter.

Eureka was able to hold off the Bobcats in the fourth quarter and add four points to their final total to secure the win and improve their season mark to 4-1.

Superior, which posted their first victory of the season the night before with a road win over Darby, fell to 1-5 with the loss.

But there were some bright notes for the young Bobcats, who got a team-best 26 points from standout freshman guard Gannon Quinlan. Sophomore Phin Cataldo added 10 points for the Cats, who also got 11 points from senior Owen Doyle.

Eureka forward Braden Casazza led all scorers with 27 points. The Lions also got 15 points from guard Tristan Butts.

Next up for Superior is a road game this Friday (Jan 5) at Hot Springs, followed by a home game the next night, a re-match with Darby in Superior.