The Eagles, Bulldogs and Hawks were all at home in boys high school basketball action on Friday night, with two of the three games going down to the wire.

Columbia moved back into the Cahokia Conference race with a 51-49 win over Breese Central, who entered the game with a 13-2 record and 3-0 conference mark. The Eagles moved to 11-3 (3-2) with the victory.

The Eagles led 14-6 after one quarter, but the Cougars battled back to cut Columbia’s lead to four points at the half. Central further cut the lead to just two points heading into the fourth quarter, but the Eagles held on following what was a back-and-forth final frame.

Drew Huebner was the star for Columbia, leading the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan Gudeman added 12 points and four steals for the Eagles, who will play at Waterloo for a “Pack the Place” rivalry game on Tuesday night.

Waterloo lost a heartbreaker Friday night to Mascoutah, 32-30, in a Mississippi Valley Conference showdown.

Both teams got off to a slow start, with the first quarter ending in an 8-8 tie.  Mascoutah moved ahead in the second quarter and took a 19-13 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Waterloo stormed back in the third quarter, holding the Indians to just one point and finishing the frame up 22-20.

The Bulldogs were hampered, though, when they had to sit guard Ryan Aycock for the rest of that period and part of the fourth after he collected his fourth foul on a questionable call.

Aycock returned to sink two clutch free throws, tying the game at 30-30 in the game’s final minute. Just seconds later, he was called for his fifth foul.  Mascoutah went up 32-30 on two free throws and thwarted Waterloo’s last-ditch attempt to tie the game in the final seconds.

Rick Wiegand led the ‘Dogs with eight points, followed by Aycock with six.

Waterloo committed 18 turnovers as a team for the game.

Gibault dropped a 56-40 contest to Catholic rival Mater Dei at home on Friday. The Knights led 20-12 after one quarter, quieting the Hawks faithful.

Following an evenly played second quarter, Mater Dei further extended its lead in the third quarter to take the Hawks out of the game.

The Hawks shot just 38 percent from the floor for the game.

Trevor Davis was the high-scorer for Gibault with 12 points, and he also grabbed nine rebounds. Zach Rueter added 11 points.

Zach Haake led the way with 20 points for Mater Dei.

Gibault hosts Civic Memorial on Saturday night.

(with additional reporting from Alan Dooley)