Basketball Recap: Rio Americano Comes Up Short

Rio Americano was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their seventh straight loss. They took a 44-35 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Bella Vista Broncos. The Raiders were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Broncos earlier this season, when they won 51-46.

Natalie Saunders was Rio Americano's leading scorer, having posted eight points.

Mackenzie Dean went supernova for Bella Vista, dropping a double-double on 13 points and 14 boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Ellie Thome, who posted eight points and five steals.

Rio Americano's defeat dropped their record down to 6-16. As for Bella Vista, their victory was their first in the league, bumping their league record up to 1-7 and their overall record up to 6-17.

Rio Americano and Bella Vista could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps California Rankings. Rio Americano will take on Ponderosa at 7:00 p.m. on February 6th down 644 places (744 vs. 100). Meanwhile, Bella Vista (ranked 719th) will meet Inderkum (ranked 142nd) at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.