Playing in front of yet another sellout crowd at Muñoz Gym Tuesday night, the third ranked Roadrunners were overcome by Snowflake in the final minutes of the game, losing to the top ranked Lobos 58-56. Holbrook held the lead inside the final two minutes, but a long distance bomb by Kurt Wood out of a Snowflake time out gave the Lobos the lead. Holbrook rallied to pull within two points late and had a chance to tie the game, but a driving effort by Marlin Martin was blocked away to secure the win for the visitors.
Both teams struggled early, with the Roadrunners trailing just 8-7 after the first eight minutes. Abrian Dickson caught fire in the second quarter, sinking five of his six three-point shots against the Lobos’ zone defense. Those long range shots along with another from Marcel Young gave Holbrook a 31-21 halftime cushion.
Snowflake trimmed all but four points off that margin in the third, then stormed back in the fourth after Holbrook missed some three-point shots that would have extended its lead.
Dickson led the Holbrook attack with 24 points. Young added 11; Sylas Chevarillo, 10; Martin, 9; and Quinlan Keoni, 2. Holbrook sank nine treys and went three for seven at the line.
Snowflake was led by Jordan Gardner with 16 points. Travis Flake netted 11; Kegan Bjorn and Gunner Caldwell, 10 each; Wood, 9; and Tanner Crosby, 2. The Lobos made three treys and went nine for 17 at the free throw line.
With the loss, the Roadrunners drop to 22-7. They will wrap up the regular season against Alchesay tonight (Feb. 6) in Whiteriver. They will play in the first round of the sectional tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Show Low.
