Monday, Feb. 08, 2010

Los Banos boys varsity basketball falls against Atwater Falcons

The Los Baños High boys varsity basketball team couldn't quite close in on Atwater High during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's Central California Conference ball game in Los Baños.

The Tigers only trailed by three heading into the fourth quarter, however, Atwater closed the final eight minutes on a 17-13 run and held on for a 48-41 victory on the road.

"I wish I could tell you what went wrong," Los Baños head coach Joe Barcellos said. "A lot of things haven't fallen into place -- and the way things are looking it doesn't seem like they are.

"We couldn't get stops when we needed stops and we couldn't get baskets when we needed baskets."

Atwater (3-5 CCC) opened up the fourth quarter by scoring the first six points, which made it a 36-28 ball game.

Eriq Belt, who finished with a game-high 14 points, knocked down one of his two 3-balls to make it 39-30 midway through the fourth quarter.

Max Ornelas, who finished with 4 points for the Tigers (1-7 CCC), scored on a fourth-quarter putback to make it a seven-point contest.

Erik Martin, who tied for a team-high with 8 points, knocked down his second 3-ball of the contest to make it a five-point game with 1-minute, 14-seconds left in regulation.

Atwater went 9 of 10 from the free-throw line in the final eight minutes as well.

Tonight the Tigers will be on the road against the Buhach Colony High Thunder of Atwater at 7:15 p.m.

On Wednesday, Los Baños will be at home against Turlock High.