The Montrose Red Hawks (11-4) and hosted the Durango Demons (5-12) on Friday and won 42-34.

“Grind it out win tonight for us,” Montrose coach Ryan Voehringer said. “Credit to Alan and Durango for playing extremely well defensively. We just never got into any kind of rhythm offensively. You can throw records out the window in SWL league play. Every win is a good win. I thought our defense won the game for us tonight. It’s our backbone. Bottom line.”

The Demons took an early 9-2 lead before the Red Hawks came back with five in a row and it was 9-7 after the first quarter. Montrose went on to lead 17-14 at halftime.

The teams battled back and forth in the third quarter and the Red Hawks led 26-22 to start the fourth. It was either team’s game going to the fourth quarter but the Red Hawks started to build a lead and led by as many as 10 points before the Demons came back to make it 36-34. Some big free throws down the stretch put the Red Hawks ahead 42-34 and that was the final.

Kaleb Ferguson had 14 points and seven rebounds. Jacob Hawk had eight points and four assists. Jake Legg had eight points and three assists.

“Opened the game playing really well,” Durango coach Alan Batiste said. “Then we went on a run and missed some shots. Game was tight through the whole thing. We just could not capitalize on open opportunities. Did not shoot the ball very well, overall team effort. Proud of the boys because this was our first collective group effort in all areas.” 

Jacob Nuebert 11 points. Zach Unruh six points. Dylan Bettin and Noah Miles five points apiece.