STEVENSVILLE — Butte Central’s strong second half wasn’t enough to pull out a victory tonight.

Jesse Sims scored off a Zach Gavlak pass with 2 seconds remaining to give the Stevensville boys’ basketball team a 62-61 Southwestern A win over the Maroons.

The heartbreaking loss came after Marcus Ferriter scored on a layup with 15 seconds left.

“We didn’t compete hard enough in the first half,” BC coach Brodie Kelly said of his team, which trailed 26-10 at one point. “I was proud of our effort in the second half. We learned how to compete against a tough team.”

Nate Bolstad scored 16 to lead the Maroons, while Brady Tippett scored 13 and Ferriter netted 10.

Also for BC, Danny Peoples, who hit some big 3-pointers in the second half, scored nine, Emmett McCarthy scored six, Kale Guldseth tossed in five and Connor McGree netted two.

Jared Schultz scored 13 points and Chance Coleman scored 12 to lead Stevensville.

“Bolstad played an awesome second half,” BC coach Brodie Kelly said. “Emmett McCarthy sparked us in the second half.”

The Maroons (1-2 overall, 0-1 in conference) jump back into Southwestern A play Saturday when they take on Anaconda at the Maroon Activities Center.

Butte Central   8   14   22   17 – 61
Stevensville     17   15   11   19 – 62
BUTTE CENTRAL – Kale Goldseth 5, Connor McGree 2, Brady Tippett 13, Marcus Ferriter 10, Nate Bolstad 16, Danny Peoples 9, Emmett McCarthy 6.
STEVENSVILLE – Austin Lords 10, Kadin Beller 6, Zach Gavlak 5, Jesse Sims 17, Jared Schultz 13, Chance Coleman 11.

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