Basketball Game Preview: Trinidad Miners vs. Raton Tigers

Having just played yesterday, the Trinidad Miners will jump right back in to play the Raton Tigers at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Trinidad proved they can win big on Tuesday (they won by 20) and on Friday they proved they can win the close ones too. They skirted past Kim/Branson 57-54. 57 seems to be a good number for the Miners as the team scooped up a victory with the same number of points in their previous game.

Meanwhile, Raton waltzed into their contest on Friday with two straight wins... but they left with three. They came within four points of losing the streak, but they secured a 44-40 W against the Bulldogs. That looming 44-40 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Tigers yet this season.

Raton's win came from a few key players Trinidad will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Aiden Riley, who posted 18 points in addition to eight boards and seven steals. Those seven steals gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Chance Walton, who earned eight points along with seven rebounds and five steals.

Raton smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 19 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in three consecutive matchups.

Trinidad's record is now 2-0. As for Raton, their record now sits at 3-1.

Trinidad lost to Raton on the road by a decisive 44-29 margin when the teams last played back in February. Thankfully for the Miners, Chase Walton (who dropped a triple-double with 12 points, ten boards, and ten blocks) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.