Portales’ best game of the year wasn’t enough to hold off fifth-seeded St. Michael’s.

Antonio Garcia led a balanced Horsemen effort with 12 points, and the Horsemen rallied to take a back-and-forth game from Portales, 46-43, in Saturday’s Class 3A first-round matchup in Santa Fe.

Justin Smith had 11 for the Horsemen (19-10), who face fourth-seeded Lovington in a 4:45 p.m. Wednesday matchup at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho.

Portales’ season ends at 13-14.

“It was back and forth the whole way,” Gallegos said. “It was one of the best Portales basketball games I’ve ever coached.”

Eight players scored for a deep Horsemen squad, helping stave off a 24-point night from senior guard Shawn Carrasco.

“If you look at the kids we lost to injury, to moving (we did well),” Gallegos said. “These kids stuck together, I’m proud of them. I can’t ask for any more.”

Small things made a difference, Gallegos said, including a few misses on easy shots and a 3-of-6 performance from the line in the fourth.

Nobody else reached double figures for the 12th-seeded Rams. Andrew Villaneuva added seven.

Patrick Trujillo scored five for St. Michael’s, including a half-cort shot as time expired in the second quarter to cut the Ram lead to 22-21.