Lady Rams dominate Moriarty

link JOSHUA LUCERO: Staff photo

Ram junior Sheraya Cox puts up a shot over Moriarty defenders Saturday afternoon during the Rams game at Ram Athletic Center. The Rams won 53-40 for their 13th win of the season and their second staight win of the weekend after beating Texico on Friday.

Playing for the second-straight day, Portales got off to a slow start. But against Moriarty, a dominant second quarter provided more than enough cushion for a 53-40 win at the Ram Athletic Center on Saturday.

“It wasn’t our best game,” Rams head coach Wade Fraze said after the game. “We had spurts where we looked good, but then we looked ugly at times. But if its something we can learn from and find a way to get it done, then it will help us.”

Up 21-15 after the first quarter, the Rams (13-5) took control of the game using their defense to hold the Fighting Pintos (6-11) to five points in the frame.

The Rams used their half court defense to pressure the Pintos into bad shots and easy rebounds that led to fast breaks. Kaycee Stone scored five in the quarter and Kambrey Blakey added four to give the Rams a 46-20 halftime lead.

“We got good rebounds and our defense really helped in that first half.” said Blakey, who led the Rams with 17 points.

In the second half the Rams got a bit sluggish as they were outscored 20-17 in the half, but the Rams stayed aggressive on defense and never gave the Pintos a chance to seriously threaten the lead.

“We probably should’ve had 80 points but we couldn’t hit a two-foot shot,” Fraze said. “I’m glad we got that cushion in the first half cause if we didn’t we probably would’ve got beat.”

In the first quarter the Rams got open looks but couldn’t get a shot to go as they missed their first five field goals. However the Rams go out to an early lead as they went 9-of -10 from the line in the frame. Bailey Rowley went 5-of-6 from the line.

Blakey and McKenzie Bucksath added two free throws each in the quarter. Alyssa Adams scored a game-high 19, and Emily Gonzalez added nine points for the Pintos, but no one else scored more than four points.

Sheraya Cox scored nine and Bucksath six for the Rams. Even with the win Fraze was still a bit concerned with he Rams play. “We’ve got to learn to play back-to-back games,” Fraze said.‘When you get to Albuquerque you may have a game a game one afternoon, then a morning game the next day. It’s something you have to prepare for.”