Fans at Friday's league challenge between the Malvern Leopards (Malvern, AR) and the host Hope Bobcats (Hope, AR), saw Malvern's basketball squad hold off Hope by a tally of 73-71.

With the victory, Malvern improves its record to 18-4 on the campaign.

Next up, the Bobcats confront the Nashville Scrappers (Nashville, AR) in a 4A Region 7 challenge, on Saturday, February 15. Hope will attempt to improve on its 5-12 season record. The Scrappers enter the game with a 15-4 record after their 58-27 league win over Mena (Mena, AR).