CORBETT — Two days earlier, Madras was in position to move into a first-place tie in the Tri-Valley Conference standings. But, as White Buffaloes coach Evan Brown said Thursday, “we just laid an egg.”

On Thursday, with Madras in a dead heat with Crook County for second place in the TVC, Brown saw a different performance from his squad.

With Kanim Smith III posting 20 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and four assists, the White Buffaloes raced away from Corbett for a 72-52 boys basketball win, giving the Buffs a half-game edge on Crook County for the runner-up spot in the conference standings — a coveted position as the No. 2 seed out of the TVC plays host in the Class 4A play-in round next week.

Byron Patt had 15 points, five blocks and five boards, and Donnie Bagley added 11 points for Madras (7-2 TVC, 11-11 overall), which claimed its fifth win in six games. Crook County plays Friday before taking on Madras in each team’s regular-season finale on Tuesday.

“Obviously it’s a big win, just to get us an opportunity for that second spot,” Brown said. “To be able to control our own destiny is just awesome.”

Also Thursday:

Girls basketball

Madras 48, Corbett 22: CORBETT — The Class 4A No. 8-ranked White Buffaloes (9-0 TVC, 20-2 overall) picked up a Tri-Valley Conference win for their 13th straight victory. Madras also secured its third 20-win season in the past eight years.