Basketball Game Preview: Rye Thunderbolts vs. Lamar Thunder

The Rye Thunderbolts will take on the Lamar Thunder at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Rye is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 51.8 points per game this season.

Rye took a loss when they played away from home on Wednesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Thursday. They came out on top against Salida by a score of 56-46. The victory was all the more spectacular given the Thunderbolts' disadvantage in MaxPreps' Colorado basketball rankings (they are ranked 251st, while the Spartans are ranked 125th).

Eli Guzman

Rebounds (Career)

02/06/25 vs Salida	18
12/20/24 vs Rangely	13
03/01/24 vs SkyView Academy	13
12/05/23 vs La Junta	12
01/27/25 @ Manitou Springs	11

Rye found their leader in sophomore Eli Guzman, who dropped a double-double on 26 points and 18 boards. The dominant performance gave Guzman a new career-high in rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Isaiah Guzman, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and ten assists.

Rye was working as a unit and finished the game with 19 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Meanwhile, Lamar came up short against Banning Lewis Academy on Saturday and fell 58-46.

Rye's win bumped their record up to 6-10. As for Lamar, their loss ended a five-game streak of away wins and brought them to 14-3.

Rye opened the new year with a less-than-successful 50-42 defeat to Lamar. Will Rye have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.