The unbeaten Santa Fe High boys were forced into overtime

The undefeated Santa Fe High boys basketball team were outscored in the fourth quarter but hung on to defeat Albuquerque Valley, 45-40, in overtime to claim the championship of the Hub City Invitational played at Belen Saturday

The Demons picked up their seven straight victory by leading most of the way  until the Vikings outscored them 13-3 in the fourth quarter to bring the overtime, where Santa Fe High tallied all five points in the extra session after it was tied 40-40 after regulation time.

Leading the way for Santa Fe High was Rob Martinez with 15 points and teammate P.J. Lovato added a dozen. Lucas Taylor scored only five points but came away with a crucial 3-point shot in the overtime.

The Demons play next at home Tuesday night versus Rio Rancho High.

Win-less St. Michael’s wasn’t as fortunate, losing for the seventh-straight time, this coming, 58-49, against Albuquerque Menaul at home Saturday.

The Horsemen held a 26-21 lead at halftime, but could score only seven points in the third quarter, and then trailed 38-33 after three quarters.

Said St. Michael’s head coach Dave Rodriguez: “We just got outworked in the third quarter. We couldn’t generate any points. It was just a rough third quarter.”

Despite another setback, senior Devin Flores continued his fine play on the court after a stellar football season by scoring the team-high 17 points and Lucas Gurule added 10.

The Horsemen hope to triumph Tuesday night when it plays at cross-town rival Capital in a non-district game.

In another contest, Robertson took an unexpected 80-77 defeat against 2A Estancia, at its home court in Las Vegas. It evened the Cardinals record at 2-2, and the taller Bears took advantage underneath to win the White bracket title of the Bruce King Invite in Moriarty.

The loss spoiled the 55-point game from Cards’ senior Matthew Gonzales, all of 5-feet-5 an who just came off another outstanding football campaign. He was good for 10 sharp-shooting 3-pointers from beyond the arc, and converted 12-of-14 free throws. No other Robertson player tallied in double figures.

“It was just a spectacular performance by Matthew,” said Cardinals’ head coach James Branch, “and people got their money’s worth tonight, but too bad we didn’t win.”

Robertson next hits the road to play at Santa Rosa Tuesday night.