TUCUMCARI — The Elida Tigers closed out Tucumcari from the free throw line, with a 9-for-10 second half in a 50-46 win Thursday at the Snake Pit.

Kody Paiz and Cade Cathey each scored 14, leading a balanced effort for the Tigers (12-3).

Cathey finished matters with 20 seconds left, hitting a pair to give the Tigers a four-point cushion.

"Those were two huge shots from Cathey," Tigers coach Darrell Chenault said. "If we don't shoot at least 70 percent from the line we are not happy. The guys did an outstanding job from the line tonight."

Ryan Best and Ethan Jasso each had 10 points.

Elida finished 10-of-11 from the stripe, while Tucumcari (4-8) was just 4-of-8.

"We kept sending them to the foul line and did not perform when we got there ourselves," Tucumcari coach John Span said. "They shot almost as many free throws in the second half then we did all game. That lets me know that my guys are not attacking the basket underneath.”

A Travis Garcia 3-pointer put the Rattlers within two in the final minute, but a pair of turnovers sealed Tucumcari’s fate.

"We just could not make plays down the stretch on offense or defense," Span said. "We kept giving them the ball with our turnovers and by not rebounding."

Span said Elida killed the Rattlers with offensive rebounding, which provided some consolation to Chenault.

"The guys drive me nuts when they shoot from the outside like that," Chenault said. "I want them to attack the inside more. If they get the open shot, take it, but I prefer they work the inside."

Girls

Elida 44, Tucumcari 23
The Elida girls (12-4) took care of matters quickly, jumping out to a 21-5 first quarter lead en route to the win.

The Rattlers were held to nine points in the first half. Sophomore Elizabeth Smith had four of those points and finished with a team-high six for Tucumcari (4-9).

"We just could not buy a basket out there," Smith said. "We need to work on our rebounding and limiting the other team’s second and third shots."