The top-ranked boys basketball team in Class 2A Colorado played the third-ranked team in Class 1A Utah, and the Ignacio Bobcats won by 22.

Ignacio High School defeated Monticello 73-51 on Tuesday night in Monticello, Utah, to improve to a perfect 17-0 this season.

Ignacio led 40-20 at halftime.

“I told the boys at halftime, ‘They’re going to make a run,’” IHS head coach Chris Valdez said.

Sure enough, the Buckaroos opened the second half on an 8-0 run. So, Valdez called a timeout, then the Bobcats regained their 20-point advantage with an 8-0 gap of their own.

“They made some runs, and we answered those runs,” Valdez said. “We had to hold our composure, so that was good for us.”

Justin Carver led the Bobcats with 18 points.

“He stepped up big time for us,” Valdez said of Carver, not known for his offense.

Adison Jones had 15 points and eight rebounds, Kelton Richmond scored 13, Wyatt Hayes had 11 points and 10 assists, and Clayton Jefferson had eight assists.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com