Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
For Tucumcari, it was one that got away.
The Rattlers basketball team saw a double-digit lead evaporate in the second half during a 57-50 loss to Newcomb in the fifth-place game Saturday of the season-opening West Las Vegas Shootout tournament.
Trailing Tucumcari 32-19 at intermission, the Skyhawks turned up the defensive pressure in the second half, forcing turnovers that led to easy buckets.
Newcomb also made five of its nine 3-point shots during the critical third quarter.
Those treys fueled a 25-5 run in the period and gave the Skyhawks a 44-37 lead.
The Rattlers twice reduced the Skyhawks’ lead to three during the fourth quarter but drew no closer.
Newcomb responded with six unanswered points late in the period to give it a 53-44 lead.
Tucumcari also hurt its chances for a victory by going just 7-of-16 from the free-throw line.
Luis Archuleta led the Rattlers with 22 points. Teammate Kamren Apodaca added 14 points. Both were named to the all-tournament team.
Tucumcari ended the weekend with a 1-2 record.
Tucumcari 74, Crownpoint 47
Tucumcari repeatedly torched Crownpoint with its transition game during a 74-47 victory Friday in the consolation bracket of the tournament.
The Rattlers trailed 13-12 after the first quarter but went on a 20-8 run in the second quarter to take a double-digit lead by halftime.
Tucumcari increased its lead to 59-39 after three quarters.
Archuleta led the Rattlers with 27 points, while Apodaca and Julian Griego each added 16 points.
West Las Vegas 67, Tucumcari 38
The Rattlers struggled against the Dons’ defense during their season-opening 67-38 loss at the West Las Vegas Shootout on Thursday.
West Las Vegas scored 15 unanswered points in the first and second quarters to forge a 25-7 lead.
The Dons led 37-19 at halftime and 58-28 after three quarters.
Archuleta led the Rattlers with 16 points, and Apodaca added 12.
West Las Vegas (3-0) won the tournament with subsequent victories over Clayton and Bosque.