Basketball Recap: Empire Takes a Loss

Empire was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They were dealt a 49-15 defeat at the hands of the Cienega Bobcats. While losing is never fun, the Ravens can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 278th, while the Bobcats are ranked 133rd).

Haley Dorris was Empire's leading scorer, having posted seven points. Nia Ball held things down on the boards with six rebounds.

Cienega's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Sam Ortiz, who went 5 for 9 on her way to 11 points and three steals. Those three steals gave Ortiz a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Mia Lopez, who posted nine points.

Empire's loss dropped their record down to 3-16. As for Cienega, the win got them back to even at 10-10.

Empire will head out to take on Desert View at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Empire is facing Desert View at the right time seeing as Desert View is stuck on a 15-game losing streak. Cienega has already played their next game, a 63-20 defeat against Pueblo on the 27th.