PUEBLO, Colo.—Joel Haywood scored 29 points – including 18 in the first quarter – to lead Denver Lutheran to a 65-41 win over Ignacio in the 2A boys’ state basketball semifinals Friday in Pueblo.
Haywood’s early offensive explosion put second-seeded Ignacio (21-3) in a hole it could not overcome. The third-seeded Lights (22-4) outscored the Bobcats every quarter en route to the double-digit victory.
Denver Lutheran held Ignacio to four second-quarter points and took a 34-23 lead into the locker room. Cole Stuerke chipped in 11 points for the Lights, who were 13 of 16 from the free throw line.
Denver Lutheran will face the winner of the semifinal matchup between No. 1 Yuma (24-0) and No. 5 Lutheran-Parker (21-4) Saturday at Massari Arena.
Ryan Brooks led Ignacio with 20 points, and Shane Richmond added 12.
