Rams' rally falls short

LOVINGTON — After trailing virtually all the way, the Portales Rams nearly stole one from rival Lovington Tuesday night.

The Wildcats survived a bit of a wild finish to claim a 56-55 win in District 4-3A play.

Lovington opened a nine-point lead at the end of one quarter and led by 12 in the third stanza before the Rams rallied.

"The first half we didn't run any offense, we didn't rebound and we dug ourselves a hole," Rams coach Rickie McBroom said. "We've got to start playing better at the beginning of games."

It was the third consecutive game decided by one point for the Rams (13-9, 1-1 district). They beat Texico 55-54 at home on Feb. 2 and won by the same score in their district opener on Friday at Ruidoso.

Quantel Nash scored 19 points for the Wildcats (8-16, 2-0), while Stephen Lennox added 15. Isaiah Alvarado had three 3-pointers and scored 11 points for the Rams.

Portales trailed by three in the closing moments and had a couple of 3-pointers that were off the mark. Zach Campbell grabbed the rebound and scored and PHS got a timeout with one second left.

On the inbounds, the Rams were called for an international foul. Lovington missed both free throws, but managed to get the ball inbounds to end the game.

Portales plays a non-district game on Saturday, then ends the regular season at home next week against Lovington and Ruidoso.

McBroom hopes the homecourt can be a difference-maker for his team.

"Lovington's 2-0 (in the district), but they got both games at home," he said. "Now we get to go home and try to defend our court."

Tuesday

District 4-3A

Boys

Lovington 56, Portales 55

Portales (13-9, 1-1) — Jarret Faust 2-4 5-5 9, Zach Blaeser 2-6 1-3 5, Ben Martinez 0-1 0-0 0, Isaiah Alvarado 4-8 0-0 11, Daniel Sanchez 3-5 0-0 7, Matt Martinez 0-0 3-4 3, Zach Campbell 4-6 1-3 9, Emilio Baca 1-1 0-0 2, Reyes Calbert 1-9 0-0 2, Nathan Chavez 3-5 0-0 7. Totals 20-45 10-15 55.

Lovington (8-16, 2-0) — Shadeau Bartrum 2-3 3-4 7, Zach Lambert 2-4 0-0 4, Jason Hare 1-3 2-2 5, Andrew Homer 0-2 2-4 2, Jacob Mughni 1-9 1-2 4, Stephen Lennox 3-7 9-14 15, Quantel Nash 8-13 3-7 19. Totals 17-42 20-33 56.

Portales 10 16 11 18 — 55

Lovington 19 16 12 9 — 56

3-pointers — Portales, Alvarado 3, Chavez, Sanchez. Lovington, Hare, Mughni. Junior varsity — Lovington def. Portales (score n/a).