BYRON — The Hayfield boys basketball team saw a chance at an outright HVL Gold Division title disappear in a matter of seconds as it lost 49-48 at Byron (19-3 overall, 9-2 HVL Gold) Tuesday.

The Bears took the lead for good when Jack Nelson hit one of three free throws with .9 seconds to go to win the game. Nelson also hit a three to tie the game at 48 with 2:45 left in the contest.

The Vikings (17-5 overall, 9-2 HVL Gold) had the ball and a chance to win, but as they were holding for the last shot they committed a turnover with 15 seconds left.

“Instead of having it going to overtime be the worst thing that could happen, we had to play defense instead,” Hayfield head coach Chris Pack said. “It was a great game, but the wrong team won.”

Hayfield led 48-45 with four minutes left after Bobbie Stephens hit his eighth three of the night.

The Vikings led 19-9 with 10 minutes left in the first half, but Byron opened the second half on an 11-0 run to take the lead.

With the loss, Kasson-Mantorville will go the HVL title game due to tie-breakers, but Byron and Hayfield can still get a share of the HVL Gold title with a win on Friday.

Hayfield will play at La Crescent, who they beat 55-39 Jan. 17, Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“A share would still be a great accomplishment in this league,” Pack said.

Hayfield 27 21 — 48

Byron 22 27 — 49

Hayfield scoring: Bobbie Stephens, 24; Cole Kruger, 8; Trevor Anderson, 5; Caleb Gilbertson, 4; Brady Kramer, 3; Tyler Oakland, 2; Brady Stevens, 2; free throws: 57 percent (8-for-14); three-pointers: 63 percent (10-for-16)