The Reeths-Puffer boys basketball team was very close to breaking its frustrating losing streak on Tuesday, with a seven-point lead after three quarters in the consolation game of the Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament.
Everything went wrong for the Rockets in the fourth quarter, however, and they left with a disappointing 60-48 loss to Tri-Unity Christian.
R-P is now 1-5 on the season, with its lone victory coming in the season opener.
The Rockets were very much in the battle for most of the game. They led 14-11 after one quarter, and the game was tied 27-27 at halftime.
Justin Chan, who scored 13 points.
R-P had a very promising 16-9 edge in the third quarter and led 43-36 headed into the fourth. Chris Shields scored six points in the third, Justin Chan had five and Marvin Moore added four.
The bottom dropped out in the final eight minutes, when the Rockets were outscored 24-6. Moore, R-P’s leading scorer who had 13 points through three quarters, was held scoreless in the fourth.
"We are still trying to figure it out, how to play a complete game,” said R-P head coach JR Wallace. “We had low numbers tonight due to illnesses and kids on vacation. That definitely played a factor tonight."
Moore and Chan led the Rockets with 13 points apiece. Anthony Neuman and Rodney Walker each scored eight points while Shields finished with six.
Shields led the Rockets on the boards with nine rebounds, including eight on the defensive end. Neuman had six rebounds and Moore had five steals.
The Rockets will be off until Jan. 2, when they hit to road to play Traverse City Central.