Basketball Game Preview: Burns Broncs vs. Rawlins Outlaws

Burns is 0-8 against Rawlins since February of 2019 but things could change on Friday. The Burns Broncs will be playing in front of their home fans against the Rawlins Outlaws at 7:00 p.m. Given that both suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.

It's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 75-35, which was the final score in Burns' tilt against Torrington on Friday. The Broncs have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.

Despite the loss, Burns had strong showings from Mason Medley, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and ten boards, and Shaw Martin, who went 5 for 9 en route to 14 points. Medley is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last four games he's played.

Meanwhile, Rawlins fought the good fight in their overtime contest against Buffalo on Saturday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Bison by a score of 78-75. One positive for the Outlaws, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.

Burns will need focus on slowing down Damien Vialpando, one of several Rawlins players who made an impact when they last played. He went 8 of 14 on his way to 26 points. Those 26 points gave Vialpando a new career-high. Lincoln Searle was another key player, going 9 for 18 en route to 23 points.

Even though they lost, Rawlins smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive rebounds. The team's really been improving in that area: they've now improved their offensive board total in three consecutive games.

Rawlins' defeat dropped their record down to 1-9. As for Burns, their loss dropped their record down to 3-9.

Burns was taken down by Rawlins 61-32 in their previous meeting back in February of 2022. Can Burns avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.