Steamboat Springs — Even with players either in foul trouble or sluggish with a team-wide illness, the Soroco High School boys basketball team went into Vail Christian’s gym Friday night and stole a huge win.

The Rams were down by eight points heading into the final quarter, but big shots from Chance Beaty and Warren Hayes equaled a 72-66 victory. It was Vail Christian’s first league loss of the season.

“The boys just buckled down,” Soroco coach Shawn Hayes said. “We hit some big shots down the stretch.”

The Rams (9-5) were hot from the onset, ripping off 21 first-quarter points. But the Saints battled back steadily, aided by some Soroco foul trouble. Warren Hayes got some big contributions from some unsung reserves, noting that freshmen Ben Kelley and Schuyler Carlson stepped up, especially in the rebound department.

Warren Hayes finished with a team-high 25 points. Beaty shrugged off a shooting slump to net 22 points.

“It was really cool to have Chance step up like that and shoot the ball well,” Shawn Hayes said.

Shawn Hayes said he knows his team will be tired, but he’s hoping to ride the momentum into Saturday when the Rams have another critical one, this time at home against 4-1 West Grand.

Tipoff for that game in Oak Creek is at 4 p.m.

To reach Ben Ingersoll, call 970-871-4204, email bingersoll@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @BenMIngersoll