MACKINAW — Keith Walder led a balanced Eureka offense with 14 points and the Hornets used a strong fourth quarter to pull away for a 54-45 Heart of Illinois Conference boys basketball victory Tuesday against host Deer Creek-Mackinaw.

Eureka trailed 23-22 at halftime, before gaining a 39-37 advantage going into the fourth quarter. Walder scored nine points, including 4-for-6 free throw shooting, in the final eight minutes to help Eureka stretch the lead. Alez Brittain had six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for Eureka.

Levi Scheuermann scored 16 for Dee-Mack, but only made two free throws after intermission.