CLINTON — The Dark Horses broke open a close game with a big third quarter and ran off with a 62-48 Four County Conference win over visiting East Bladen on Tuesday.

The loss drops the Eagles to 5-12 overall and 2-7 in the conference.

East Bladen burst out of the gate for an 8-2 advantage behind two three-pointers by Denzel Johnson and a pair of free throws by Dayvon Powell. But Clinton answered with a 9-1 run that gave the home team an 11-9 edge after the first quarter.

The lead went back and forth through the second stanza, but East Bladen managed to cut a point off the deficit and trailed by just 23-22 at intermission.

Eian Hines drained a bucket to open the second half and gave the Eagles a 24-23 lead, but the Dark Horses went on an 11-2 spurt that opened a 34-25 advantage for the home team. East Bladen never got closer than six points the rest of the way. Clinton finished the third quarter holding a 44-32 lead.

In the final 8 minutes of play, the Dark Horses outscored East Bladen by a slim 18-16 margin to seal the victory.

Johnson led the Eagles with 12 points, while Hines and Sincere Smith each scored eight.

East Bladen will travel to face Pender County on Friday at 8 p.m. in a Four County Conference tilt.