The Durango High School girls basketball team had a chance to beat Fruita Monument on Saturday and keep its winning streak alive.
The game was a defensive battle throughout, but with DHS trailing 30-28 with time running out, the Demons created an open look from three.
“We had a look from three to win it, it just didn’t quite go in,” said head coach Tim Fitzpatrick. “It was a great game and we had an opportunity to win it.”
The loss snapped Durango’s 14-game winning streak. DHS, the No. 4 ranked team in Class 5A, is now 14-2 overall and 3-1 in the 6A/5A Southwestern League.
Fruita, which received the 12th-most votes in the latest Class 6A poll, improved to 13-3, 2-0.
The loss came a day after DHS beat the No. 11-ranked team in 5A, Montrose, 44-26.
“We played really well (against Montrose),” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m super proud of the kids to have a chance to win both of those games on the road.”
The Demons limited Montrose to just three first quarter points on Friday as they jumped out to a big early lead, 16-3.
Against Fruita, DHS held the Wildcats to only two points in the first quarter but was also held to two points and went into the second quarter even.
“I attribute that to the level of defense both teams were playing,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was a defensive battle.”
The teams scored more after that, and DHS trailed 14-11 at halftime, but evened the game at 19-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
Missed free throws in the final quarter, however, hurt DHS several times when they had an opportunity to take the lead or tie the Wildcats down the stretch.
Mason Rowland scored 18 points, snagged seven rebounds and assisted three baskets to lead DHS. The Demons held Fruita’s leading scorers, Olivia Campbell and Addison Eyre, to just eight points apiece. Campbell, however, knocked down two treys in the second half while Eyre scored six of her points in the fourth.
The Durango boys also faced off with the Wildcats on Saturday, but fell 75-31 against the league leaders.
DHS is now 5-12, 1-3 while Fruita improved to 15-1, 2-0.
DHS will be at home for a pair of games this week. On Friday, DHS will host Palisade, with the varsity girls tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and the boys following at 7 p.m.
DHS will then conclude its nonleague schedule on Saturday against Glenwood Springs. The varsity girls will play at noon with the boys scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. start.
“We’ll get back to work, get focused on this weekend’s games and then finish the league strong,” Fitzpatrick said. “This girls’ basketball league is loaded. Every game is going to be against a good team.”
