BUTTE (AP) - Guy Smith scored eight points Saturday, including a basket with 2.8 seconds remaining, to lift Columbia Falls to a 52-50 victory over Butte Central in the championship game of the state Class A boys basketball tournament.
Central's Stephen Burns had tied the score at 50 with 28 seconds to go on an offensive put-back.
After Smith's basket, Central called a timeout to set up one more play. Jake Stagnoli inbounded the pass to Alex Murphy at midcourt. Murphy passed to Matt Pokorny, whose 3-pointer just before the buzzer bounced off the rim.
Anthony Minson had 16 points and Drew Perry 10 to lead Columbia Falls (20-3), which also won the state title in 2003.
Butte Central (15-9) led for most of the game, including an 18-6 lead on a 3-pointer by Matt Ritter with 1:04 left in the first quarter.
Columbia Falls scored the final seven points of the half to pull within 25-23 on a three-point play by Kevin Boyer.
Columbia Falls took its first lead at 43-41 on a basket by Smith with 3:38 left in the fourth quarter, capping an 8-0 run. The teams traded baskets until Shaughn McKeon hit a 3-pointer to put Central head 48-37.
Burns finished with 17 points and Pokorny with 13 for the Maroons.
In the consolation game, senior guard Matt Weber scored 31 points to lead Sidney to a 62-44 victory over Glendive.
Weber made 9-of-13 shots from the field and 13-of-14 free throw attempts. Weber had 10 points as Sidney opened the fourth quarter with a 15-0 run to take a 55-36 lead.
Also in double figures for the Eagles (22-2) were Jace Sullivan with 12 points and Cole Prevost with 10.
Glendive (17-7) was led by 6-foot-8 sophomore Derek Selvig with 12 points and 6-2 sophomore Drew Milne with 10.
Glendive led 13-6 after the first quarter, but was outscored 27-9 in the second period as Sidney built a 33-22 halftime lead.
