The Lowry High School boys basketball team came away with a split of two games at the Tri-State Invitational Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Both of the Buckaroos’ games were decided by three points or less. Lowry opened with Hurricane, Utah, and lost 62-59. The Tigers built a 16-10 at the start of the second quarter, when Lowry used an 8-0 run to go in front by a basket at 18-16.
After the teams traded buckets on a couple possessions, Lowry used a 7-0 run started by a 3-pointer by Brendan Domire to go in front 27-21. In a half that saw runs by both teams, Hurricane ended the second quarter on a 9-0 spurt to lead 30-27 at halftime and did not trail again.
Hurricane opened up a six-point lead at the beginning of the third quarter but that was quickly erased after back-to-back baskets by Scottie Smith. The Tigers moved out to another six-point advantage at 42-36, only to see Lowry score the final five points of the third quarter, which included a layup at the buzzer by Kobe Stoker.
Hurricane held a 47-41 lead 15 seconds into the fourth quarter, when Lowry came back with five points in a row, including a 3-pointer from Domire. A 3-point play by Smith with 90 seconds left in the contest, moved Lowry within two points at 56-54.
The Tigers increased the margin to 60-56 with 14 seconds to play and held on for the win from there. Domire missed a 3-pointer to close the gap to a point and Hurricane followed with two free throws with :06 to go. Domire did make a 3-pointer at the buzzer to account for the final score.
Lowry holds on to beat Sunrise Mountain
Lowry was back on the floor later on Wednesday night and defeated Sunrise Mountain 52-50. The Buckaroos jumped out to a 7-4 lead after consecutive baskets by Domire. Lowry maintained the advantage throughout the first eight minutes on the strength of a 3-point play by Stoker and a running shot by Shai Welsh.
Lowry opened up a double-digit lead at the start of the second quarter behind baskets from Dorsey Naveran and Stoker. The Miners closed the gap to 25-19 with 1:45 left in the half, but Lowry responded with baskets from Domonick Solis and Stoker to go in to halftime up 29-20.
The Buckaroos scored seconds into the third quarter to secure an 11-point lead but that vanished to a point at 38-37 near the end of the quarter. Lowry stopped the 7-2 run by Sunrise Mountain after a steal by Kyle Sappington and a basket by Stoker.
Lowry appeared to have a comfortable lead at 45-39 after a 3-pointer by Welsh, but Sunrise Mountain countered with an 8-1 run to go in front 47-46 with 3:17 to play.
The Buckaroos righted the ship after a timeout and went back in front and moments later led 50-47 after a 3-pointer by Naveran. A layup by Naveran with less than a minute to play gave Lowry a 52-49 advantage. The Miners had a chance to go in front but made just 1-of-4 free throws with under 30 seconds to play.
A turnover by Lowry gave Sunrise Mountain one last chance to tie or win the game but a 3-point shot bounced off the rim. Solis made one free throw with :00.2 left to secure the win.
Stoker and Naveran paced Lowry with 17 and 10 points, respectively. Domire added nine points, Welsh seven. Smith four, Oscar Juanes three and Solis two.
Lowry took on Shadow Ridge on Thursday morning and lost 44-29 to the Southern 4A school. The Buckaroos played a second game on Thursday and closed out the tournament on Friday. Those results were not available due to early deadlines.
Lowry returns to Northern 3A action on Friday, Jan. 5, in Fernley for a 7:30 p.m. tip off with the Vaqueros. The Buckaroos make their way to Fallon on Saturday, Jan. 6, to play Churchill County at 2:30 p.m.
