RUIDOSO — The Portales Rams used a 24-3 run spanning halftime to overcome a sluggish start en route to a 61-49 District 4-3A boys victory over Ruidoso Tuesday night.

Senior guard Shawn Carrasco scored 15 points and junior post Jessie Blue added 14 for the Rams (11-10, 4-2 district), who maintained second place in the district behind Lovington heading into a 7 p.m. showdown on the Wildcats’ home floor Friday night.

Ruidoso (7-14, 1-4) led by three points midway through the second quarter before the Rams went on their run. They led 24-23 at halftime and built their margin to 46-32 by the end of the third quarter.

“We came out kind of sluggish,” Rams coach Mark Gallegos said. “I don’t know if we were a little tight or what. We got our press going in the second quarter, and it really helped us in the third quarter.”

Eight players contributed to the scoring column for Portales.

“It was nice for us because we had pretty balanced scoring,” Gallegos said. “Our problem is the same thing — 10-of-21 on free throws. (The game) shouldn’t have been that close.”

The Rams did pick it up from the line in the final stanza, going 7-for-11 to help salt the game away.

“We made the ones we had to make,” Gallegos said.”

Senior Ralph Miranda scored 12 points and senior Fred Botella added 10 for the Warriors.