Rams hold on late for win

BY THE STAFF OF THE NEWS

PORTALES - In a game of runs, a commanding 14-point lead through three quarters proved to be just enough for Portales High's boys on Tuesday night.

Junior Emmanuel Diahn combined 17 points and nine rebounds as the Rams survived a 22-point fourth quarter by Clovis, holding on for a 60-56 victory over the Wildcats at the Ram Athletic Center.

Senior forward Quadale Brown added 10 points and seven caroms for the Rams (7-8), who are in the midst of what amounts to a five-game homestand.

Portales lost both games in the PHS Shootout over the weekend, but in the second one the Rams erased a 12-point deficit after three quarters to tie Andrews late before losing 54-52.

That game served as a springboard into home outings against Moriarty and Clovis.

"I'm very happy with my kids and how hard they're playing," McBroom said. "I think we really turned a corner in the Andrews game."

Clovis (2-14) rode five 3-pointers and 15 points from junior guard Brian Weiss and 12 points from senior guard Juan Hernandez, but the Cats struggled on the boards again - particularly late when the Rams corralled three key offensive rebounds down the stretch.

Clovis led 24-18 midway through the second stanza after a 12-4 run, but Portales scored 13 consecutive points to take the lead for good. A last-second 3 by Weiss, his fourth of the opening half, made it 31-27 at intermission.

"We got a handful of good looks in the third and fourth quarters," CHS boys coach Jaden Isler said. "(Weiss) probably got more good looks in the second half than the first. We just didn't get them to fall."

Six-foot-6 senior Andrew Hall kicked off a 7-0 run to start the final stanza with a pair of putbacks, but the Rams did just enough to stay in front. Clovis couldn't get the margin under five until scoring at the buzzer.

"I'll give Clovis' kids props," McBroom said. "They made an incredible run, but we were able to weather the storm."

Both teams were also in action on Tuesday night:

Portales 62, Moriarty 47 - The Rams had what McBroom called "probably the most complete four quarters we've played all year" in subduing the Pintos the RAC.

Portales snapped a three-game losing streak as scored 14 points. He was the only PHS player in double figures, but 10 others scored, including five with at least six points.

"Really, starting with the fourth quarter of the Andrews game, we're playing with a higher level of energy," McBroom said.

Portales finished off the Pintos (4-8) with a 20-12 fourth-quarter surge. The Rams converted seven 3-pointers in the match, including three by senior guard Alex Garcia and two by junior guard Eli Lopez.

Only five players tallied for Moriarty, led by junior Cade Griego with 13 points and senior Bruno Garcia with 11.

Canyon Randall 65, Clovis 28 - The Raiders scrapped their zone defense after halftime, went man-to-man and ran the Cats out of the gym.

Clovis led 11-9 late in the first quarter and was still within 16-15 early in the second. Randall (13-9) then opened a 10-point lead by halftime and limited CHS to just eight second-half tallies.

"Randall's probably one of the best teams we've played, up there with Santa Fe (High) and Volcano Vista," Isler said. "They're really balanced - everyone on their team scored.

"I thought we controlled pace really well in the first half, but I think they (Raiders) got tired of being patient and went to man (defense) coming out of halftime."

Sophomore guard K.J. Thomas, who has had five games of at least 30 points this season, and sophomore forward Ayden Rodriguez led Randall in this one with 11 points apiece, but they got plenty of help. Meantime, three players did all the scoring for Clovis - Hernandez and senior guard Luciano Webster with 10 points each, and junior forward R.J. Nora with eight.

The Raiders didn't shoot a free throw in the contest, but finished with seven 3-pointers to just one for the Cats.

Game cancelled - A girls game between PHS and Moriarty, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, was cancelled and will not be made up.