An impressive fourth-quarter run fell just four points short of a Yellow Jackets victory Wednesday at the East Lawrence Center. The Yellow Jackets battled the Bruins in the final regular-season game for both teams in the Hoopster Basketball League’s second- and third-grade division.

The Bruins survived a scoreless fourth quarter and came away with a 20-17 victory. Eight straight points from the Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter nearly doubled their total up to that time, but Bruin center Scotty Frantz maintained that he was never nervous during the run.

“We just played hard and hustled and came out on top,” Frantz said.

Frantz and Bruin guard Alan Clothier led their team on both sides of the floor. In the first quarter, Frantz had four points, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Clothier added four points of his own, and the Bruins started out with an 8-4 lead.

Clothier and Frantz continued their strong play in the second period, combining for six more points. Bruin forward Jake Hensley came alive in the period with four points and, along with Frantz, provided a strong presence in the post. Yellow Jacket Buzz Walter ended the quarter on a high note for his team. Walter jumped in the passing lane for a steal that he took coast-to-coast for a layup.

The game slowed down in the second half with just three points being scored between both teams. The Bruins hit a pair of free throws while the Yellow Jackets added one to bring the Bruin lead to 20-9 heading into the final period. That’s when the Yellow Jackets exploded.

After multiple steals and turnovers by each team, the Yellow Jackets kicked their game into high gear. Zakary McAlister grabbed a rebound and passed ahead to Isaiah James for a fast-break bucket. On the next trip down the floor, James hit another shot to bring his team to within seven points with four minutes left.

Bruin Alan Clothier looks for a teammate to bail him out as Yellow Jacket Sammy Rosentengle applies the pressure Wednesday at the East Lawrence Center. The Yellow Jackets held the Bruins scoreless in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to get the win.

At that point the Bruins tried to play keep-away and were successful for a couple minutes, until Jacob Holiday stole the ball and broke away for a layup with 32 seconds left. The Yellow Jackets called timeout down 20-15 to set up their defense. In the end, time was against the Jackets. McAlister was able to sink a last-second shot, but that only closed the final margin to three and the Bruins escaped with the win.

Frantz, easily the tallest player on the floor, said size was the key to the Bruins’ victory.

“I’ve played since kindergarten and always been one of the biggest guys,” Frantz said. “It definitely helps.”