Tucumcari loses to Santa Rosa

The Tucumcari Rattlers boys basketball team kept it close in the first half against rival Santa Rosa but cold shooting in the second half doomed the Rattlers in their 69-41 loss Thursday in the first round of the Lions Classic at Santa Rosa.

Travis Garcia led the Rattlers with 15 points but he was the only player in double figures for Tucumcari. Alex Hutchins was the next highest scorer with eight points.

The Lions were only up by 10 at half but the Rattler only managed four points in the third quarter and were never able to recover.

Santa Rosa’s Gary Agar had 16 points and Ben Madrid chipped in 15. Agar was able to exploit the Rattlers lack of size throughout the game.

Tucumcari will play New Mexico Military Institute at 4 p.m. Friday in the consolation bracket.