A strong start didn’t lead to the result the Demons wanted.

Riding a three-game winning streak to open the Class 4A/5A Southwestern League schedule, the Durango High School boys basketball team went into Montrose looking for its first road win of the league season. It would have to wait at least another day, as the Montrose Indians (6-8, 2-2 SWL) rallied back from a 14-7 first-quarter hole to win 54-48.

“We gave up too many uncontested layups,” DHS head coach Alan Batiste said. “(Montrose) had eight shots the whole game outside the paint. We gave up those paint points, and you can’t do that.”

The Demons (7-7, 3-1 SWL) scored only two points in the second quarter to trail 20-16 at halftime. The Indians built a 39-29 lead going to the fourth quarter and didn’t let down.

“They went on an 18-2 run, but still we were only down four points at half. We should’ve been able to come out better in the third quarter, but we didn’t get it going until the last 3½ minutes,” Batiste said.

Caleb Kennedy led DHS with 13 points.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well and missed free throws down the stretch,” Batiste said. “I’m still proud of our effort to get back in it. We picked our intensity up and made it close.”

DHS will look to get back to its winning ways at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Fruita Monument (2-13, 1-1 SWL).

heraldsports@durangoherald.com