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Rams notch victory over Muleshoe

MULESHOE, Texas — The Portales Rams led virtually all the way, but it was anything but a cakewalk.

Senior guard Chris Carter scored 23 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minutes, and the Rams opened their 2004-05 season Tuesday night with a 49-44 victory over Muleshoe.

“It was a good start for us,” PHS boys coach Mark Gallegos said. “I liked our intensity and emotion.”

Portales controlled most of the first half, but the Mules (0-2) made a run late in the half to close to 22-20 at the break. Spurred by two 3-pointers from Carter, the Rams went up by 11 points late in the third quarter, but Muleshoe mounted another run and closed to within three at the end of the period.

Muleshoe led 42-41 when senior post Jack Hale found Carter on a backdoor cut to put the Rams in front for good. Although they struggled from the line most of the night (12-for-25), Portales was able to hit enough of them down the stretch to ice the win.

“I think we got a little tired and couldn’t make our free throws,” Gallegos said. “It was a game that shouldn’t have been that close.”

Senior Chris Kirchner added nine points for Portales. Muleshoe didn’t have anyone in double figures, with Trevor Turnbull’s nine points pacing the Mules.

Portales 49, Muleshoe 44

Portales (1-0) — Chris Carter 7 7-10 23, Chris Kirchner 3 3-6 9, Daniel Aranda 3 0-3 6, Bo Gabriel 1 0-0 2, Trevor Ferguson 0 1-4 1, Chris Atkins 1 0-0 3, Tyler Johnson 0 1-2 1, Jack Hale 2 0-0 4. Totals 17 12-25 49.

Muleshoe (0-2) — Trevor Turnbull 2 5-8 9, Brady Black 2 3-4 7, Trent Black 1 2-4 4, Tyler Sheets 2 1-2 7, Arsenio Geter 3 0-0 6, Myles James 0 1-2 1, Brant Hamilton 1 0-0 3, Chris Kindle 1 1-2 3, Landon Wilson 1 1-1 3, Kory Atwood 0 1-3 1. Totals 13 15-26 44.

Portales 8 14 13 14 — 49

Muleshoe 2 18 12 12 — 44

3-pointers — Portales (3): Carter 2, Atkins. Muleshoe (3): Sheets 2, Hamilton. JV score — Portales 35, Muleshoe 32.

Lady Rams falter late — Muleshoe’s girls broke open a tie game with a 26-6 domination of the fourth quarter to hand PHS a 55-35 loss in the first half of the twin bill.

Senior Kelsy Friskup led the Lady Mules (3-3) with 17 points. Muleshoe got seven 3-pointers from five different players.

Junior Ashleah Richards scored 12 points to pace Portales (0-2).

Muleshoe 55, Portales 35

Portales (0-2) — Tara Johnson 0 0-1 0, Rebekah Gonzales 0 0-0 0, Briana Hernandez 1 0-0 3, Caroline Knudson 1 0-0 2, Stefanie Sharrock 0 0-0 0, Megan Kabrick 3 2-2 8, Patty Terry 0 2-2 2, Bethany Self 2 0-0 4, Morgan Hill 2 0-3 4, Dora Garcia 0 0-0 0, Ashleah Richards 4 3-7 12. Totals 13 7-15 35.

Muleshoe (3-3) — Brandi Wood 5 0-0 10, Amber Cowart 2 0-1 4, Jamie Carpenter 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Wood 1 0-0 2, Kelsy Friskup 6 4-6 17, Ashley Dickson 2 0-0 5, Monica Posadas 1 0-0 3, Kacey Wood 2 0-0 6, Kate Lepard 3 0-0 8. Totals 22 4-7 55.

Portales 7 13 9 6 — 35

Muleshoe 12 10 7 26 — 55

3-pointers — Portales (1): Hernandez, Richards. Muleshoe (7): K. Wood 2, Lepard 2, Friskup, Dickson, Posadas. JV score — Muleshoe 31, Portales 24.