jhancock@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - The third quarter could have been the undoing of the Century boys' basketball team Friday if its defensive play hadn't compensated for a struggling offense during the period.

Because of that strong "D," the Diamondbacks managed to maintain a lead over Bonneville at the end of the quarter and went on to win 58-49.

"The third quarter was critical when we couldn't put it in the hole," Century coach Cody Shelley said. "We just had to battle and depend on our defense to make Bonneville work for everything."

Century went into halftime with a 33-29 lead over Bonneville. The Bees started the third quarter with a 7-3 run, tying the game with 3:32 left in the quarter. That's when the Diamondbacks went on a 9-3 run of their own to close out the quarter leading 45-39.

Century managed just four points during the first 5:47. But with 2:12 left in the quarter, senior guard Caz Alley hit a 3-pointer.

A minute later, junior guard Drew Rufferidge was fouled hitting a basket. He hit that free throw and two others when he was fouled going to the hoop with just 49 seconds left in the quarter.

Rufferidge, whose scoring seemed to dry up early in the third after putting up eight points in the second quarter, said he was no longer getting the open looks outside.

"My shots weren't dropping anymore, so I decided to starting driving inside," Rufferidge said.

That change in strategy earned Rufferidge five trips to the stripe during the second half. He went 7-of-8 from the line during those five trips. Rufferidge finished the game with 14 points, second only to Alley who scored 15.

"I really got pumped during warmups," Rufferidge said. "This was actually a season high for me."

Alley had the hot hand in the first quarter, scoring nine of Century's 20 points.

"I kind of had an off night (against Jerome)," Alley said. "Coach said to keep trying and they would start hitting."

Century got off to a fast start on the shoulders of Alley's first-quarter performance. The Diamondbacks led 20-12 with 1:30 left in the quarter and appeared set to run away with the game.

The Bees put up five points to close out the quarter, and Century went into the second leading 20-17.

No matter how hard Century tried to put Bonneville away, the Bees wouldn't have it. Bonneville came out pushing hard in the second and took a 21-20 lead with 5:10 left.

Century responded and three minutes later the Diamondbacks were up 27-26. The closest Bonneville would come to taking control of the game was midway through the third when it tied Century at 36.

"They're a good team," Alley said. "Opportunities came and went, that's the ups and downs of the game."

Century is now 7-3 on the season and has yet to play any 4A Fifth District games. The team next plays Jan. 13 at Burley.