Portales freshman center Macy Mitchell catches the ball at the post in the first half of Saturday night’s Portales Shootout finale against Clayton. The Lady Rams won the game 47-27 to win their fourth consecutive game.

If the Portales Lady Rams have earned an identity this season,  it’s one of second-half dominance. They did it again Saturday night against Clayton in the final game of the annual Portales Shootout, outscoring the Yellowjackets 16-4 in the third quarter on the way to a 47-27 blowout.

The win was the Lady Rams’ (8-5) fourth consecutive victory.

“The third quarter was the big key,” Lady Ram head coach Clay Stout said. “We just took control of the game defensively and offensively.”

“We knew that we had to step up our game,” sophomore Gabby Garcia said. “We just weren’t playing as good as we could have in the first half.”

The visitors took an early 10-8 first quarter lead, before the Lady Rams pulled even and took an 18-16 halftime advantage.

When the Lady Rams hit the floor in the third quarter, they took control of the game.

Freshman post Macy Mitchell scored the first five points of the third quarter on her way to a game-high 15 points.

“We moved the ball around a lot and tried to get the easiest shot that we could get and with Macy just posting up and pushing her man up it’s easy to get the pass to her because she’s so strong,” Garcia said.

Portales outscored Clayton 29-11 in the second half.

“For some reason, this bunch, when they start clicking and moving defensively, their executing on offense,” Stout said. “When you have good offensive execution than that helps your defense.”

Garcia’s 10 points was followed by senior Tara Johnson’s eight points. Junior post Jenna Wagner added 7 points.

Clayton junior Ashley Trujillo led the Yellowjackets with 12 points.

The Lady Rams travel to Hobbs Tuesday, before hosting Roswell High Thursday night.

Portales boys whip Socorro
The Portales Rams concluded their part of the Portales Shootout with a 2-0 record Saturday night with a 60-34 dismantling of the Socorro Warriors.

After taking a 16-10 first quarter advantage, the Ram defense held Socorro scoreless in the second quarter, to take a commanding 42-10 halftime lead on the way to a 60-34 rout.

“This was a team win,” Portales boys head coach Mark Gallegos said. “That’s what I’m most proud of. That’s what’s going to get us over the hump.”

Ram junior Shawn Carrasco led all scorers with 18 points, followed by senior Nick Bliss’ 10 points. Marcus Slocum added 7 points.

The Rams (6-6) travel to Tucumcari Monday before hosting Roswell’s New Mexico Military Institute in the District 4-3A opener Jan. 20.