The Boys looked to ride the momentum from the girls contest, but El Dorado Springs Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 4–0 edge. DeLozier got Butler Bears on the board, but the Bulldogs continued to have answers. Grubb stepped up and drained a trifecta to pull Butler within one at 6–5. Braxton then gave the Bears their first lead with a strong drive to the rim, but El Dorado responded once again, this time with a corner three. After eight minutes of action, the Bulldogs held an 11–9 edge.

El Dorado struck first in the second quarter, but Jake Chandler answered with a tough basket through a congested lane, finishing through contact to keep it a one-possession game. Lucas hammered home a three to pull Butler within a single point, but after several trips to the charity stripe, El Dorado regained control at 18–14. Carter weaved through the lane and sank a floater, only for the Bulldogs to answer yet again with a dagger from deep. Trailing 25–16 with just under four minutes remaining in the half, Butler called a timeout. Out of the huddle, Carter scored once more, but the Bulldogs continued to respond. El Dorado closed the half strong and headed to the locker room holding a firm 36–23 lead.

After halftime, Chandler went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line to initiate a Butler comeback attempt. Following a defensive stop, Braxton added another bucket to continue trimming the margin. However, the Bulldogs halted the momentum with another shot from range. Carter connected on a triple of his own, followed by a trip to the line from Davidson, narrowing the deficit to single digits at 41–32. El Dorado continued to answer, but the Bears closed the quarter with Chandler knocking down 2-of-3 free throws after being fouled on a buzzer-beating attempt. Butler trailed 55–43 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter opened with back-and-forth action. El Dorado began to seek separation, but the Bears refused to go quietly as Carter drilled a corner three to breathe life back into the Den. The Bulldogs responded once again from deep, and down the stretch continued to widen the gap. El Dorado ultimately pulled away to secure a 68–54 victory.

Jake Chandler led the Bears with 19 points.

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Photo by Camren Behringer