A 15-point lead proved unsafe for the Durango Demons.
The Durango High School boys basketball team took play to the host team at Farmington High School’s Marv Sanders Invitational in the first half Friday, but key strategy changes propelled the Scorpions to a 47-44 victory in Farmington.
A win would have sent the Demons to the tournament championship game against Piedra Vista, but now Farmington’s two cross-town rivals will square off for the trophy with Durango meeting New Mexico Class 6A Las Cruces in the third-place game.
Durango built a 21-9 lead after one quarter and led 26-15 at halftime. But a lack of depth and tired legs caught up to the Demons (3-2) late, as the Scorpions (4-1) charged back behind the play of Tyren King.
The Demons neutralized Farmington star center David Riley, so the Scorpions played a smaller lineup and wore down Durango.
A 3-pointer by King cut Durango’s lead to 28-27, and Farmington tied the game at 31 in the third quarter before going into the fourth tied at 35.
A big traditional three-point play by Farmington’s Nick Granger gave the Scorpions a 43-37 lead halfway through the fourth quarter, and back-to-back turnovers by Durango set the Scorpions up to finish off the game with a win.
Orion Clay led the Demons with 17 points. The senior was 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point line, and he added a team-high seven rebounds and three steals.
DHS senior Lucas Baken finished with 12 points, and fellow senior Terrence Trujillo added six points in the loss.
The Demons will try to beat a New Mexico Class 6A school for the second time in three days Saturday when they meet Las Cruces. DHS knocked off defending tournament champion Cleveland in the first round.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
