File photo – Brandon Lucas

With their championship hopes on the line, the Corsairs rose to the challenge on Thursday night.

The College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team traveled to Butte for a top-of-the-table clash and won 90-67 to move into a tie atop the Golden Valley Conference standings with the Roadrunners.

“What a beautiful performance tonight,” CR head coach Ryan Bisio said. “In a big and difficult spot we came up with a gem.”

Had the Corsairs lost the game, they would have dropped two games behind the Roadrunners with three games remaining.

“Butte had an opportunity to basically put the league out of reach and we responded with incredible resiliency and confidence,” Bisio said.

Brandon Lucas continued his incredible recent form with another huge performance and finished with a team-high 26 points, including six 3-pointers.

Redwoods held a narrow 38-36 lead at halftime, but comfortably put the game away with a dominating second half and secured a conference sweep over the Roadrunners, which would give them the tiebreaker.

Both teams are now 5-2 in conference action with CR 18-7 overall and Butte 16-9.

“Our guys exhibited mature game plan discipline tonight and just kept chopping away,” Bisio added. “In the inevitable moments of tension, our trust in each other paved the way. This was the best interpersonal communication we’ve had all year.”

And Lucas helped set the tone again.

“Brandon Lucas once again proved how elite of a shooter he is,” Bisio said of the sophomore standout. “He’s very clear and direct right now in the way he’s applying his shooting skill.

“He’s also doing it in a way that’s making his teammates better. Brandon is playing MVP basketball right now.”

Alfonso Medina and Isai Sow each added 15 points in the win, while teammate Ty Dahlin chipped in 11 points.

Next up, the Corsairs play at Siskiyous on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Siskiyous is 2-5 in the GVC and 11-14 overall.