Portales boys snap skid

RUIDOSO — The Portales Rams ended their three-game losing streak on Tuesday night, beating the Ruidoso Warriors, 56-53, in a boys basketball District 4-4A matchup.

Portales (10-8, 1-1) overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to take the win.

"In the first half, we really struggled," Rams coach Rickie McBroom explained. "In the second half, we played with a lot more intensity. We were down nine in the fourth, and we started man pressing. We rebounded really well and hit some crucial free throw's - Tyrese Dawson hit four-in-a-row."

Portales trailed Ruidoso (12-7, 1-1) by seven at half, and nine to start the final period. Rico Diaz led the way with 17 points, while Braden Bridges hit three 3-pointers for 14 points. The Rams finished the night going 17-for-27 from the foul line, while Ruidoso went just 2-for-4.

The win was a crucial one for Portales, which will now take on New Mexico Military Institute (2-11, 0-3) at Rams Athletic Center on Friday at 7. For Portales, a win over the struggling Colts would put them back over .500 in the district.

But it won't be easy, according to McBroom.

"That's a game where we really need to show up and play for 32 minutes," McBroom said. "NMMI is a must-win and they're getting better. They got some size and they're bigger than us. Their two posts are really good, and they have two guards that play fundamental basketball. So we got to come out and pressure them."