Patrick Morrow gets blocked by Excel Christian's Joshua Fixel.
The Bighorns boys’ basketball team lost its first home game of the season Monday, falling to the Excel Christian Warriors, 70-38.
The second half was the clincher for Excel. They exploded in the third quarter turning a 28-21 game into a 56-27 game at the end of the quarter.
The Bighorns scoring for the quarter came from Kenyen Hicks, Joshua Mikulak and Joel Mincer.
The teams were evenly matched in the first quarter, ending with Excel leading by one point, 7-6. The Warriors gained a lead in the second, but the Bighorns were close behind; baskets from Caden Johnson, Patrick Morrow, Brenden Norman-Leary and Mikulak kept Oasis within striking distance by the end of the half, 28-21.
Oasis coach Donald Schank said turnovers hurt the Bighorns, giving Excel lots of opportunities.
“You can’t turn the ball over like we did for easy layups on the other end,” he said.
As the game continued, Schank said the young team became frustrated and started forcing passes leading to more easy baskets for Excel.
“It’s a work in progress,” Schank said. “They have a lot of heart, they don’t quit … they’re trying to work hard and work the best they can.”
Schank said they’re moving the ball fairly well and getting good shots, but need to make better passes and learn to crash the boards for rebounds. Schank said they mostly needed to improve on little things.
He also noted how hard the team is working. The coach said they hope to build something good with the program and start a lasting tradition.
The Bighorns also played Tonopah last Saturday, falling 61-32.
Oasis hosts Gabbs’ junior varsity team tonight at 3 p.m. They also travel to Smith Valley Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. game.