Madison Prep built up a bit 17-2 lead on its way to a 54-46 win over Ruston in the boys semifinals at the Hamilton Christian / Showdown in the Lake tournament at Hamilton Christian School on Saturday.

Madison Prep (4-0) will face St. Thomas More at 7:30 p.m. in the finals.

Ruston’s Jordan Parker scored the first basket of the game, but the Chargers went on a 17-0 run, including a pair of 3-pointers by Jayce Depron, who scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the first quarter.

Ruston ended a nearly seven minute scoring drought on a bucket Braylon McNeal with 37 seconds left in the first quarter and closed the gap to 29-21 by halftime.

The Bearcats got within four three times in the second half. The last was on a free throw by Depron with 1:45 left to cut the Chargers lead to 50-46.

McNeal and Aidan Anding led Ruston (7-1) with 11 points apiece.

Josh Smith scored 17 points for the Chargers.

St. Thomas More 58, Southwood 46

St. Thomas More remains undefeated after a 58-46 win over Southwood in the semifinals of the Hamilton Christian / Showdown in the Lake tournament on Saturday.

Southwood (4-3) pulled within three points, 48-35 on a shot by Kamauri Fleming with 1:36 left in the third quarter. But Cougars didn’t let the Cowboys get any closer by going on an 11-1 run. Monwell Willis hit a fade-away jumper with 3 seconds left in the third quarter and Michael Mouton drilled two 3-pointers from the corner to open the fourth quarter for the Cougars (5-0).

Mouton scored 15 of hits 19 points in the fourth quarter.

Jeremiah Evans led Southwood with 14 points, and Maurice Carson finished with 13.