Rams rally for 47-42 win

Shawn Carrasco scored 15 points to lead the Portales Rams to a 47-42 win over New Mexico Military Institute on Saturday at the PHS gym.

Portales (10-10, 3-2 district) avenged a three-point loss to the Colts (14-8, 3-2) at Roswell.

The teams battled through a nip-and-tuck first half which ended with the Colts leading 20-19.

“We were a little tight in the first half,” PHS coach Mark Gallegos said. “We didn’t take the ball to the hole very strong, so we didn’t do any of those things.”

The Colts increased their lead to seven (26-19) before the Rams mounted a comeback. Portales started chipping away at NMMI’s lead by quarter’s end moved in front 33-31.

“During halftime we talked about settling down — have fun, being aggressive and play hard,” Gallegos said. “I think they did that in the second half and I am pleased with them. I was still a little upset because we gave up some offensive boards.”

Both teams had trouble finding the basket at times, but Portales was able to pull it together, Gallegos said.

Andrew Villanueva and Zachary Terry had eight points each for the Rams. For the Colts, senior Wade Thomas took game scoring honors 21 points.

Portales travels to Ruidoso for a 7 p.m. district clash on Tuesday. The Rams are at district-leading Lovington on Friday.