‘Big 3’ carry Durango to victory at Western

Mike Sims

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 | 9:36 a.m.

The Durango boys' basketball team has not shown its usual dominance the past few seasons. The Trailblazers have been struggling to make the state tournament, and competing with Bishop Gorman in their division doesn't help.

But Wednesday at Western, the Trailblazers dominated the boards and took over a close game in the third quarter to come away with a 73-65 win. Durango's three big men -- Mike Besaw, Andre McFarland and Darryl Kelly -- combined for 62 of the Trailblazers' 73 points.

"The big guys came to play," Durango coach Al LaRocque said.

McFarland led all scorers with 28 points, plus nine rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots.

LaRocque credited Besaw and Kelly for their great work on the boards at both ends of the floor. He also said McFarland did his usual duties as the Trailblazers picked up their 16th win of the season.

Western's full-court press frustrated Durango early, and the Warriors managed a 21-18 lead after eight minutes.

"The difference between the first and second halves was we were making our shots," Western coach Chancellor Davis said. "We tried to play quick, but Durango slowed it down like they always do."

McFarland hit a jump shot 33 seconds into the second quarter to cut the lead to 1. Besaw gave Durango the lead at 24-23 when McFarland hit him with a pass under the basket for two points.

Besaw finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

"We just didn't get it done," Davis said. "I knew they were going to come out and play because we beat them in their house."

The Trailblazers looked like a different team after halftime.

The teams exchanged the lead a few times, but the turning point came when Chase Bast missed two free throws that would have given the Warriors a 2-point lead. Instead, Durango went on a 9-0 run late in the quarter to take a 49-41 lead.

"We have to make baskets," Davis said. "McFarland was great on the boards and offensive end."

With 4:27 to go in the game, Eric Taylor became the first Trailblazer other than the big three to score, hitting a 3-pointer that gave his team a 61-51 lead.

Durango pulled into a tie with Western in the Southwest Division at 6-4, a game back from second-place Bonanza.

"The good thing is Bonanza still has Gorman to play," Davis said. "We still want second place and a first-round playoff game on our court."