Colorado’s longest winning streak is over.
On Tuesday night, Class 2A Las Animas downed 1A McClave 51-43 in girls basketball, ending the Cardinals’ 78-game victory streak, the longest in state history.
In March, McClave downed Haxtun in the 1A final to win its third consecutive championship and eclipse the mark of 74 victories in succession held by Bishop Machebeuf from 1980-83.
The Cardinals had been 25-0 each of the past three seasons.
Las Animas, ranked No. 9 in The Denver Post/9News 2A poll, was 23-3 last season and the consolation champion. In 2004-05, the Trojans were state runners-up to Limon.
The Cardinals, 3-1 overall, are ranked No. 4 in 1A. Next: Holly, at home Saturday.
McClave had previously lost in the 2003 title game to Eads. The Cardinals have qualified for the past five 1A championships.
The Cardinals, who entered the season without any returning starters, had won their first three games of the season by an average of 18 points.
