The Hammond boys basketball team had some anxious moments trying to protect a fourth-quarter lead at No. 14 Oakland Mills on Wednesday, but the Golden Bears were the poised team when it counted the most.

With a nine-point advantage trimmed to two with under two minutes to play, Hammond scored the game's last nine points to pull away for a 70-59 win in Howard County play.

Senior Avery Terry led four Bears in double figures with 19 points - including the key basket to start the final run - as Hammond (12-3) improved to 10-2 in Howard County play. The Scorpions (11-4) drop to 9-3 in league play.

"We know a good team like that is going to make a run, it's just a matter of when, so we just can't hit the panic button," Hammond coach Karl Friedheim said.

No. 1 Mount St. Joseph 74, St. Vincent Pallotti 44: : The host Gaels (24-2) held the Panthers to 13 points in the first half.

Gilman 58, Boys' Latin 51: : Cyrus Jones had 22 points and five assists as the host Greyhounds (15-3) beat the Lakers (1-17). Gilman has won 13 straight.

Girls

No. 11 Catonsville 48, Perry Hall 47: : Maddie Hunt made the front end of a one-and-one with 9.5 seconds left to give the visiting Comets (15-1) the lead.

No. 12 River Hill 76, Long Reach 28: : Alex Vega scored 15 points and had seven assists to power the visiting Hawks (12-2) past the Lightning (1-12).

Sun reporters contributed to this article.