The Durango High School boys basketball team took on two of the top teams in the 5A/6A Southwestern League on Friday and Saturday at home to wrap up its regular season.
The Demons led almost the entire game in their contest with Montrose on Friday and prevailed, 53-51.
DHS, however, was unable to take down the league champions from Fruita Monument on Saturday, falling to the Wildcats 68-51.
Against Montrose, DHS came out aggressive and scored the first six points. After MHS responded with four points, JT Nuebert sunk a pair of field goals to give DHS a 10-4 lead after one.
Montrose got within one of the Demons in the second, 14-13. Noah Miles, however, put DHS back up by three with a basket and then, after Montrose scored. Brady Hoerl knocked down a shot.
MHS scored again to make it a one-point game, but Zach Unruh made a field goal and Nuebert scored four more to put DHS up 24-19 at halftime.
The third quarter was similar, with Montrose answering every DHS basket. Nuebert, however, scored 10 points in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers, to keep DHS ahead. Montrose sunk a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cut Durango’s lead to 38-36 heading into the fourth.
Montrose began the fourth by taking its only lead of the game with an and-one. Tyler Harms put DHS back in front with a basket, then Miles swished a corner three then drove in for a layup to help DHS go up 47-39.
DHS had some chances to put the game on ice late, but missed six consecutive free throws. With seven seconds left, and DHS ahead by one, Unruh connected from the free-throw. Marcus Cullum then came up with a steal to prevent Montrose from getting a final shot off.
After the weekend, DHS was 7-16 overall and 2-6 in the SWL. Fruita improved to 20-2, 7-1 while Montrose slid to 15-8, 4-4.
