Saguaro continued its winning ways as the basketball season neared its midpoint for some schools Wednesday night. The Sabercats got 29 points and big second-half offensively from senior guard Caleb Simpson in a 70-65 win over Poston Butte in a 4A non-region game at Saguaro.

"Grinding it out, and finding a way,"  Saguaro coach Lucas Ramirez, in his first year as coach of the Sabercats, said.

Saguaro (7-1) has won three of its last four games by five points or less. Poston Butte, led also by a new coach in Rob Walker, dropped its second game in as many nights,. The Broncos lost by one point and for the second time to region rival Vista Grande on Tuesday night.

The Sabercats had Poston Butte (6-3) on the ropes midway through the fourth quarter opening up their biggest lead, 64-53 with 4:32 to go. That made it a 19-point swing from a point in the second period when Saguaro trailed by eight.

The steady flow of offense from Simpson and more floor time in the second half for post Kaveon Irby (16 points for the game) made a difference. Simpson scored 11 points in the third period and nine in the fourth. Irby netted six quick points in the first period, sat the second and bulked up with 10 points after intermisson.

Simpson scored six of Saguaro's final eight points as Poston Butte gradually cut the Sabercats' lead. A 10-0 run by the Broncos (five players scoring a basket each or two free throws) made it 64-63 with just less than two minutes left.

Simpson helped cinch the outcome with three plays in the final 90 seconds - an assist to Irby, two free throws and finally a steal at midcourt and ensuing layup as time expired. Poston Butte was heading up court at the time to potentially get off a tying hree-point shot in the final seconds.

Saguaro missed Irby's presence on the boards and in the paint in the second quarter after two fouls benched him. Poston Butte took advantage with strong rebounding and a well-executed transition game to take a 32-29 lead at halftime.

Poston Butte had four players score in double figures, a usual occurrence for the balanced Broncos. Kayson Bryant led with 17 points, Jesse Gray (16 points), Travelle Beckwith (14 points) and Connor Lopez (10 points).

Both teams have the same opponent for their next game. Poston Butte hosts Seton Catholic on Friday. Saguaro faces Seton at Seton on Feb. 16.