Rams rally for win over Wolverines

LITTLEFIELD — Especially in a low-scoring game, it’s hard to survive a drought which lasts nearly a quarter.

Off to a seven-point lead early in the second stanza of Monday’s first-round Wildcat Classic matchup against Tulia, Portales High suddenly went dry for nearly the final 6 1/2 minutes of the half. In the end, it cost the Rams.

While the Hornets only managed three points in that stretch, it was enough to keep them close. They took the lead with an 8-0, fourth-quarter run and held on late for a 47-45 victory.

On Tuesday morning, the Rams (4-4) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 55-49 win over Springlake-Earth in the consolation bracket of the 10-team event. They were slated to face Olton in another consolation game later Tuesday, with the winner advancing to Wednesday’s fifth-place game while the loser was slated to play for seventh.

Meantime, Tulia (13-was to face New Home in a semifinal matchup on Tuesday.

Rams coach Randy McBroom called Monday’s setback “frustrating” for his team.

“They did a good job,” he said of the Hornets. “I’ve got to give them some props for making some tough shots.

“I thought we did a pretty good job on defense, but they have some seasoned kids who were able to make some tough shots.”

Adrian Brookins scored 18 points for Tulia, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 4:10 left which started the decisive run.

“It was definitely a physical, back-and-forth game,” Hornets coach Cody Rushing said. “Our offense was stagnant in the first half, but I thought we played better in the second half.”

Portales held the Hornets about 18 points under its season scoring average.

“I was glad we were able to win with our defense today,” Rushing said. “We kind of weathered the storm and stayed confident in ourselves.”

Leading 20-13 after a basket by junior Emmanuel Diahn with 6:24 left in the half, the only points for either team the rest of the period came on a free throw and a field goal by Tulia senior Alan Garcia. The game stayed tight until well into the final segment, with senior Kaden Hightower’s 3 giving Portales a 37-34 and junior Davian Lucero’s basket keeping the margin there on the next trip down.

After Brookins’ 3 tied it, reserve Ethan Reyes scored on a driving shot at the 3:09 mark to put Tulia in front for good. The Hornets converted 4-of-5 free throws over the final 40 seconds to seal it.

Diahn was the Rams’ only double-figure scorer with 11 points off the bench, and also grabbed eight rebounds to share the team lead in that department with junior Eli Gomez. Portales was without 6-foot-4 junior post Greydon Rigsby, sitting out a one-game team suspension.

“Emmanuel played really well,” McBroom said. “He missed some time sick before Christmas, but it was nice to have him back with his energy.”

Gomez led the Rams with three steals, while Hightower collected three assists.

PHS rallies late against Wolverines — Junior guard Xodus Gomez forced a key turnover in the final minute and Hightower scored all 12 of his points in the final quarter on two 3-pointers and 6-of-7 free throws as the Rams rallied past Springlake-Earth.

With the Rams leading by three points, Gomez forced a traveling violation. Hightower then converted three free throws in the remaining time to clinch it.

Lucero scored 14 points to lead the Rams, while Rigsby returned to action and compiled nine points and a team-leading nine rebounds.

“We jumped on them early, and then they battled back,” McBroom said. “Kaden kind of took over in the fourth quarter.”