The No. 2 ranked Columbia Eagles scored 27 points in the third quarter to pull away to an 81-57 Region 5-2A high school boys’ basketball win at Columbia on Tuesday night.

Miller Grove’s Anwar Molette scored eight seconds into the second half to pull the Wolverines (7-16, 1-9) within 38-36 of the Eagles.

Columbia responded with an 11-0 run to take control of the game. Jace Smith sandwiched a steal and basket by Deontae Hill with a pair of layups on assists from teammates Carlin Jacobs and Xavier Lewis.

A three-pointer by Lewis and a put back by Jacobs pushed the lead out to 49-36 with 5:42 to play in the third quarter.

The teams traded baskets over the next two minutes of the game before the Eagles (21-3 10-0) put together another big run to end the quarter.

Brandon Bigsby and Lewis both hit shots from behind the three-point line to go with layups from Lewis and a pass from Bigsby to Hill underneath for the easy layup. The scoring streak pushed the lead out to 65-43 and the Eagles cruised down the stretch to the win.

Back-to-back layups by Hill pushed the Eagles out to a 21-18 lead after one quarter of play.

Jimmy Mattox IV gave Miller Grove its last lead of the game with a three-pointer with 2:36 to play in the first half to make it 32-31. Chance Reynolds answered with a three-pointer of his own and the Eagles would not trail again.

Columbia finished the half with four points in the final 59 seconds including a feed from Reynolds to Carlin Jacobs for a layup and two free throws by Princeton King for the 38-34 halftime lead.

Xavier Lewis stroked the nets for 28 points, including five three-pointers, to lead Columbia’s attack. Jace Smith added 20 points and 8 rebounds and Deonte Hill put together 10 points and seven rebounds.