ALBUQUERQUE — The Portales Rams began the Hope Christian basketball tournament with a 60-55 win Thursday night against Mora.

Senior Nick Bliss led the Rams with 23 points, followed by junior Marcus Slocum’s 16 and senior Billy Good’s 10 points.

The Rams took a first quarter 17-11 lead, but the Rangers fought back and outscored Portales 22-16 in the second quarter to pull even at the half, 33-33.

The Rams won the game in the second half, outscoring Mora 27-22. But the Portales boys went 22-of-36 from the free throw line.

“It never should have been a game,” Portales head coach Mark Gallegos said. “We struggled a little bit and missed a lot of easy shots. But we came on in the fourth quarter and did a good job of closing it out.”

The Rams (8-6) play Rehoboth (11-1) in the championship bracket Friday afternoon.

When the Portales boys arrive home, they’ll begin their District 4-3A schedule at home Tuesday night against Roswell’s New Mexico Military Institute.