PUEBLO — So close, yet so far away.

Nucla, a fellow San Juan Basin League team which had defeated Mancos twice during the regular season and for the District III title two weeks ago, beat Mancos 73-72 in overtime in the consolation semifinals Friday morning at the Class 2A boys’ state basketball tournament at the Events Center.

The Mustangs will play in today’s consolation finals, while the Blue Jays end their season at 12-8.

Josh Hainey scored 6 of the 9 points in the overtime to lead the Mustangs. Mancos had several opportunities to score at the end of the game but missed shots underneath.

Jesse Rousset hit a driving layup in the lane with 12.3 seconds left to send the game into overtime tied at 64. Mancos had fought back from a 53-41 deficit at the start of the quarter. Chris Robuck put Nucla up 38-37 midway through the third period after Mancos had led 31-29 at the half.

In the first half, Mancos took the ball to the hoop. The Blue Jays led throughout much of the first half. Rousset’s layup at 5:33 put Mancos up 6-4 early in the first quarter. The score was tied at 10 all when Nucla’s Jared Wyatt made a follow with 1:32 showing. Nucla led 12-10 when the quarter ended.

Travis Clark made back-to-back baskets to put Mancos us 16-15 midway through the second period. Mancos sliced and diced its way to the bucket, taking a 28-23 lead with 1:06 left. Hayne tied the score at 29 with two free throws, but Rousset hit a layup with 1 second remaining for a 31-29 lead at the half.