SANFORD – After sufferibng its first loss of the season last Saturday, the sixth-ranked Sanford High School basketball team returned home to host Conejos County foe Centauri Tuesday at the SHS gym.

The Mustangs had a rough start against the Falcons as Sanford was shut out in the. first quarter. But it came live in the second half and came back to win in overtime, 49-43.

Jayse Maestas gave the Falcons the early lead with a 3-point basket and two free throws. Carson Shawcroft also hit a three, and Sean Jarvies made two free tosses for a 10-0 Centauri lead at the end of the first quarter.

Maestas began the second quarter with another trey, but Ben Faucette finally put the Mustangs on the scoreboard with a layup. Cahl Larsen split at the line, but Maestas knocked down a jumper, and Dallyn King made a layup to push the Falcons’ lead to 17-3.

Trason Gartrell drove for a layup and Joshua Fairhurst made one of two from the line. Keaden McGinnis made a layup, but Ben Faucette did the same and Centauri led 19-8 at halftime.

Gartell and Travis Canty both made layup to open the second half. Donovan Jarvies hit a short jumper, but Gartrell scored again. Sean Jarvies scored in the paint, but Gartrell and Larsen both scored to cut the lead to 23-18.

King made one of two free throws, but Colter Canty made a three to bring the Mustangs within 24-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Gartrell drained a 3-pointer to begin the fourth quarter and tie the score at 24-24. Sean Jarvies made a three of his own to put the Falcons back on top, and Donovan Jarvies made a layup to extend the lead to 29-24.

Ben Faucette made two free throws, and Gartrell and Travis Canty both scored baskets and added a free throw to give Sanford its first lead at 32-29 with three minutes remaining.

Shawcroft drove for a layup to cut the deficit to 32-31, but Colter Canty scored with 1:03 left for a 34-31 lead.

McGinnis beat the clock with a three to deadlock the score at 34-34 and send the game to overtime.

Gartrell scored the first points of the extra period, but McGinnis made another three to give Centauri a 37-36 edge with 2:42 left. Colter Canty knocked down a jumper, but McGinnis made a pair from the line.

Colter Canty made one of two free throws to tie the score at 39-39 with 1:55 remaining. McGinnis made two more free throws for a 41-39 Centauri lead with 1:49 remaining.

Gartrell made a layup and added a free throw for a 42-41 Sanford lead with 1:43 to play. McGinnis made a layup to put the Falcons back in front at 43-42 with 1:35 remaining.

Fairhurst gave the lead back to Sanford with a pair of free throws with 1:28 left. Gartrell then drove for a layup, Colter Canty made two free throws, and Travis Canty one to wrap up the scoring.

Gartrell led Sanford in scoring with 21 points, including seven in overtime. Colter Canty was next with 10 points.

McGinnis was Centauri’s leading scorer with 12 points and Maestas scored 10.

Sanford (12-1, 1-0) was scheduled to host South Park on Friday. However, because if a scheduling conflict, the game will be played at a later date. The Mustangs will next play at Trinidad this coming Friday and at Sargent on Saturday.

Centauri (5-6, 1-1) hosted Ignacio on Friday. It will travel to Monte Vista today.

Sanford 49, Centauri 43

Centauri – Shawcroft 2 0-0 5, Maestas 3 2-2 10, S. Jarvies 2 2-2 7, D. Jarvies 2 0-0 4, S. Gilleland 0 0-0 0, McGinnis 3 4-4 12, King 2 1-2 5, D. Gilleland 0 0-0 0, Weyers 0 0-0 0, Jackson 0 0-0 0. Total 14 9-10 43.

3-point goals – Maestas 2, McGinnis 2, S. Jarvies 1, Shawcroft 1. Total 6,

Sanford – B. Faucette 2 2-4 6, Gartrell 9 2-2 21, C. Canty 3 3-4 10, T. Canty 2 2-5 6, Larsen 1 1-2 3, Fairhurst 0 3-6 3, Mortensen 0 0-0 0, J. Faucette 0 0-0 0, McCarroll 0 0-0 0. Total 17 10-23 49.

3-point goals – C. Canty 1, Gartrell 1. Total 2.

Centauri 10 9 5 10 9 – 43

Sanford 0 8 13 13 15 – 49

Fouls – Centauri 20, Sanford 14. Fouled out – Larsen.