With the postseason hanging in the balance, the Bayfield High School boys basketball team picked up a clutch victory on the road when the Wolverines took down the Pagosa Springs Pirates in overtime, 49-48.

Sophomore Ryan Phelps led Bayfield with 21 points and four rebounds to lead the Wolverines to the momentum-boosting win.

“I felt like we are progressing, (Pagosa Springs) is another great team,” Bayfield head coach Jeff Lehnus said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “The kids executed great strategies, I was very pleased with their execution.”

Bayfield (9-9, 3-4 Intermountain League) and Pagosa Springs (12-6, 5-2) battled closely all night as Bayfield took a one-point halftime lead, and Pagosa Springs took a five point lead at the end of the third quarter.

With one minute left in the fourth quarter, Pagosa Springs tied the game with a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. In the extra quarter, Bayfield got its rebounding and free throw shooting down the stretch. Bayfield ended by outrebounding Pagosa Springs 26-18 and went 16-for-19 at the free throw line. Freshman point guard Keyon Prior was clutch, hitting 3-for-4 free throws down the stretch.

“That was a quality win against a quality team in a quality game,” said Lehnus.

Leading scorer Taed Heydinger was held to just five points and eight rebounds. Zane Phelps had eight points and five rebounds.

“We can perform in big games,” said Lehnus. “That’s huge for our confidence and the big thing is to build momentum entering the tournament. I feel like we can beat anyone in this league.”

This is the first time Bayfield has beaten Pagosa Springs since sweeping the series in 2014.

Bayfield will close out the regular season at 7 p.m. on Thursday night at Bayfield High School against Centauri. The Wolverines will honor their seniors for Senior Night.

jmentzer@durangoherald.com