LA JARA – The Centauri High School boys basketball team was locked in a tight game with Colorado Springs Christian Saturday at the CHS gym.

But the Falcons scored 24 points in the fourth quarter and pulled away from the Lions for s 56-47 win.

Shandon Gilleland gave Centauri an early 2-0 lead, but Max Cota-Cordova tied the score. Levi Williams made a 3-point basket, and Micah Akpata a layup to give CSCS a 7-2 advantage.

Sean Jarvies drove for a layup, but Cota-Cordova scored again. Sean Jarvies made a layup and added a free throw to bring the Falcons within a 9-7 deficit.

Sam Salsbery scored a layup, but Keaden McGinnis beat the clock with a 3-pointer to close the gap to 11-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Gilleland began the second quarter with a trey to give the Falcons a 13-11 lead. Salsbery split at the line and then drained a three to give the Lions a 15-13 lead.

Donovan Jarvies and McGinnis both split at the line to tie the score at 15-15. Cota-Cordova put CSCS back in front at 16-15, but Donovan Jarvies knocked down a short jumper.

Cota-Cordova put the Lions back into the lead at 18-17, but Donovan Jarvies made one of two free throws to tie the score and Sean Jarvies made a buzzer-beater three to give Centauri a 21-18 lead at halftime.

Williams opened the second half with a layup, but Donovan Jarvies scored on a jumper. Sean Jarvies increased the lead to 25-20, but Salsbery drove for a dunk. Cota-Cordova made two baskets and Williams two free throws to put the Lions back in front at 28-25.

That would prove to be CSCS’s final lead. McGinnis and Donovan Jarvies both made baskets, and Jayse Maestas hit a jumper and added a free throw for a 32-28 Centauri lead at the end of the third quarter.

Cota-Cordova split at the line for the first point of the fourth quarter., but Sean Jarvies scored in the paint. Akpata made a layup, but McGinnis made two free throws.

Cota-Cordova made two baskets to bring the Lions within 36-35, but Sean Jarvies gave the Falcons some breathing room with a jumper.

Salsbery again brought the Lions within one point, but Gilleland made another three for a 41-37 lead.

Williams split at the line, but Sean Jarvies drained another jumper. Williams drove for a layup, but McGinnis made a layup of his own, Sean Jarvies made two free throws, and Donovan Jarvies a three to stretch the lead to 50-40.

Salsbery scored a layup, but Sean Jarvies made three out of four free throws for a 53-42 lead. Mikey Orawiece hit a jumper, but McGinnis made one of two from the line. Cota-Crodova drained a 3-pointer, but Sean Jarvies made two more free throws to wrap up the scoring.

Three Falcons scored in double figures as Sean Jarvies led with 23 points. McGinnis scored 12 and Donovan Jarvies 10.

Cota-Cordova led CSCS with 19 points, followed by Salbery and Williams each with 10.

Centauri (2-2) will play in the Fifth Annual Alamosa-Centauri Christmas Classic at Plachy Hall on the campus of Adams State University. The Falcons will play Gunnison at 2 p.m. on Friday and Summit at 11:30 on Saturday. Alamosa will play Summit at 7 p.m. on Friday and Gunnison at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Centauri 56, Colorado Springs Christian 47

C.S. Christian – Dubs 0 0-0 0, Orawiec 1 0-2 2, Salsbery 4 1-2 10, Williams 3 3-4 10, Cota-Cordova 8 2-4 19, Akpata 2 0-0 4, Cosner 0 0-0 0, Tenpas 0 0-0 0, Delello 0 0-0 0. Total 18 6-12 47.

3-point goals – Cota-Cordova 1, Salsbery 1, Williams 1. Total 3

Centauri – Shawcroft 0 0-0 0, McGinnis 3 5-10 12, Maestas 1 1-2 3, S. Jarvies 7 8-9 23, D. Jarvies 4 1-2 10, Gilleland 3 0-0 8, Weyers 0 0-0 0. Total 18 14-23 56.

3-point goals – Gilleland 2, D. Jarvies 1, S. Jarvies 1, McGinnis 1. Total 5.

C.S. Christian   11 7 10 19 – 47

Centauri 10 11 11 24 – 56

Fouls – Colorado Springs Christian 24, Centauri 15. Fouled out – Orowiec, Williams. Technical foul – Gilleland.