– Greenwood mounted a mad come but the Ranger’s late rally efforts fell short during a loss to El Paso Riverside in a Class 4A area playoff game, Friday at Hobbs High School.
Greenwood took control of the game in the first half with a 28-23 lead.
The Ranger’s offense went south for the third quarter giving Riverside enough time to go up 44-35.
Riverside held a 50-38 lead almost midway through the fourth quarter, but Greenwood managed to make it a one possession game at 55-52 when Tatum Pierce grabbed a defensive rebound off a missed free throw and dribbled across court for a 2-point bucket.
On the ensuing in-bounds pass, Greenwood had an opportunity to steal a loose basketball, but Riverside secured it and was fouled with 12 seconds left. Riverside made one free throw to extend its lead back to two scores.
Pierce carried the Rangers in the final two minutes by scoring nine points but it wasn’t enough as Riverside held on for the 58-54 victory.
Riverside (17-12) was tasked with facing No. 17-ranked Canyon Randall in the regional quarter.
Randall was as good as advertised destroying Riverside 101-51.