By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Lady Tigers hosted Des Moines Thursday night in what turned out to be a squeaker of a game where Raton lead by as much as 10 points before Des Moines battled back to within two with only seconds on the clock Raton held on for a 52-49 win.
The first quarter action saw both teams battle it out and exchange the lead several times before Raton managed to get a handle on things and gain a four point lead in the second quarter. Raton had been plagued by bad passes in previous games but seemed to have worked that problem out despite the extra pressure Des Moines put on Raton. Raton went into halftime with their biggest lead of the game at 27-20.
Third quarter action saw Raton continue to work the lead and at one point garnered a nine point spread. The fourth quarter saw Raton take a 10 point lead with 7:08 in the game only to see it dwindle down as the quarter wore on. With only 51 seconds on the clock Des Moines was behind by two and the fireworks would soon begin as miscommunications by the referees and the score table got the crowd worked up.
With only 13 seconds on the clock Raton was at there free throw line and managed to extend their lead to three and hold on as the final buzzer ended this physical game.
Des Moines 13 7 8 21 49
Raton 14 13 11 14 52
Des Moines High Point
Grace Hall 16 4 of 9 free throws
Angie Lopez 18 4 of 7 free throws
Free throws 12 of 21 attempts
Raton High Point
Baylor Walton 13 3 of 8 free throws
Becca Muniz 11 2 of 3 free throws
Jadyn Walton 12 2 of 4 free throws
