Another close game ended differently for the Bayfield High School boys basketball team Friday against Monte Vista.

The Wolverines picked up their first Intermountain League win 45-39 at home.

It exorcised close-game Demons BHS (9-7, 1-5 IML) has been battling since its league schedule started.

“The boys really needed that,” BHS head coach Jeff Lehnus said. “They went and earned it. That’s the beauty of it.”

BHS played its best defensive game of the season, Lehnus said.

The Wolverines came back from down 10 in the third quarter, reversing a similar result from their game at Monte Vista earlier in the season.

Conner Kennedy led the team in scoring with 14 points, while freshman Ryan Phelps added nine.

Preston Hardy and Zane Phelps both scored seven and defended Motne Vista’s big gun in the post, Donald Poole. He still scored 16 points, but Lehnus called it a “hard 16.”

The Wolverines now turn their attention to senior night at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Pagosa Springs. They may have to play that game without Zane Phelps. He was ejected from Friday’s game because of an intentional foul against Poole on a dunk attempt.

“I’m not sure he’ll get to play Tuesday,” Lehnus said. “The refs claimed it was a non-basketball play. I disagree, but I’ll have to look at the tape to see if we’ll protest that ruling.”

heraldsports@durangoherald.com