Basketball Recap: Delta Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Erik Baier and JP Gallegos

Delta was the 50-43 winner over Basalt when they last played one another back in February of 2024, but their luck changed this time around. The Delta Panthers fell 65-54 to the Basalt Longhorns on Tuesday. The Panthers' loss signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.

Delta's loss came despite strong showings from JP Gallegos and Erik Baier. Gallegos posted 27 points, while Baier dropped a double-double on 13 points and 12 rebounds. Baier has been hot, having posted eight or more boards the last seven times he's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Joe Black, who put up seven points.

Even though they lost, Delta smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in seven consecutive matchups.

Basalt's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Zealand Lane, who almost dropped a double-double on 18 points and nine rebounds. The dominant performance gave Lane a new career-high in points. Luke Williams was another key player, going 9 of 13 en route to 20 points.

Delta's defeat dropped their record down to 5-8. As for Basalt, the win got them back to even at 6-6.

Delta will take on Moffat County at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Moffat County is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 53.7 points per game this season. As for Basalt, they will challenge Aspen at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Basalt knows how to get points on the board -- the team has finished with 55 points or more in their past three contests -- so hopefully Aspen likes a good challenge.