The Pagosa High School boys basketball team held Durango to just 10 points in the first half Wednesday. The second half has practically even, but the early deficit was too much for DHS to overcome, and the Pirates finished comfortably on top, 60-35.
The Demons are now 2-7 overall heading into the holiday break. Pagosa Springs is 7-1 overall after picking up its sixth-straight win.
Noah Miles got the scoring going for the Demons on Wednesday, knocking down a three to start the game and give Durango its only lead.
Pagosa forced turnovers to go on a 10-0 run and later knocked down a three-pointer to take a 17-6 lead into the second. Maddox Bryant grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on the put-back for DHS while Luke Wesley went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line in the first.
The Pirates continued disrupting DHS’ offense in the second and forced several more turnovers to extend their lead to 34-10 heading into halftime. Dylan Bettin made a basket, and Cole Ulrich scored low after snagging an offensive rebound for the Demons, but Pagosa played fast to get some open looks and also muscled in some shots.
Durango began the second half strong and ended up winning the third quarter, 11-8.
After Durango caused a turnover, Ulrich took it all the way for fast-break layup to get the scoring going. He added another jumper and a three-pointer in the quarter. Noah Miles also sunk a field goal and Kaleb Roberts knocked down a pair of free throws for DHS. Blake Lanar, however, scored at the buzzer for Pagosa to put PSHS up 42-21 entering the fourth.
Durango continued to play hard and the teams traded baskets in the final quarter. Bryant and Miles both sunk three-pointers and scored five in the fourth. Marcus Cullum and Ulrich also made baskets, but Pagosa won a lot of 1-on-1 battles in the key to add to its lead.
Miles scored 10 points to lead DHS, Bettin added nine, Bryant scored seven, Ulrich scored four, Roberts and Cullum both scored two and Wesley added one.
Durango will next play its first home game of the season after the holidays. DHS will welcome the 5-4 Bloomfield (New Mexico) Bobcats to town on Jan. 10.
