Having run its win streak to 23 games with back-to-back wins over Pierce and Paradise early last week, the RedHawks dropped their final game of the regular season to Durham.
Colusa found itself down one-point on the road to the rival Bears heading into the fourth quarter on Feb. 7, but made a defensive adjustment that propelled them to the 55-48 victory by holding Pierce to five points in the final period.
Still, the offense needed to do its part, and it delivered with the score tied at 43-all and seven minutes remaining as it responded with a 7-0 run.
A three-point play by Seth Kalisuch, a pair of free throws by Aiden Selover, and a put back by Isaiah Travis swung the momentum to the RedHawks.
Travis finished the night with 13 points and six boards, including a steal and a basket that extended the advantage to six points in the contest’s final minutes.
Also playing a big role in the win was Leo Bedolla, who posted a 17 rebound and 13 point double-double.
After the game, Coach Brian Davis was pleased with his team’s mental toughness, saying it was something they had focused on recently.
“This week we worked on keeping our composure and not getting too excited,” said Davis. “Even though it was a dogfight, we wanted to stay smooth. The guys followed the game plan.”
For Pierce, who once again gave the RedHawks all they could handle, after executing the pick and roll on offense and playing tough defense on the other end, Joseph Saavedra and Drew Burnum each finished with 14 points.
Colusa followed up the next evening in Paradise with a 67-52 win over the Bobcats.
Landon Humphrey dropped in a game-high 20 points, while Travis, the team leader in double-doubles had a 17 point, 12 rebound night.
Yet, the two consecutive contests may have taken a toll on the RedHawks, as they came up on the short end of a 43-48 score at home against Durham on Feb. 10.
Despite being in foul trouble, Humphrey went for 21 points in the game, although, as a team, Colusa shot just 25 percent from the floor and 56 percent from the line.
With the regular season concluded, Colusa (23-5) received the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in the Northern Section CIF Division IV playoffs and will face the winner between No. 7 Anderson and No. 10 Oroville on Friday at 6 PM.
Meanwhile, the Bears (9-17), who fell in their regular season finale 28-42 to Live Oak, were seeded No. 11 and played in Gridley on Tuesday night against the No. 6 Bulldogs, with the winner going on to face No. 3 Orland on Friday evening.■