Sophomore Lauren Aversman scored seven second-half points, but the Lady Chiefs were unable to come back from an early deficit against Orrick. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

ALMA -- The Santa Fe boys' basketball team went into the fourth quarter Friday with a chance to stay in contention in the I-70 Conference race.

However, the Chiefs' five-point lead quickly disappeared as visiting Orrick went on a 21-9 run to claim a 60-56 decision.

The Bearcats got eight points during the final frame from senior Taylor Griffin, but less-than-impressive field-goal shooting -- seven of 15 from the stripe -- allowed Santa Fe to remain close. However, the Chiefs -- who missed two of their three charities -- couldn't find the range until junior Taylor Wesley connected from outside in the closing seconds.

Griffin finished with 24 points and senior Aaron James had 16 for Orrick (10-9, 3-1) -- tied for second in the league with Concordia following the seventh-ranked Orioles' 54-49 loss to No. 6 Wellington-Napoleon.

Wesley wound up scoring 19 points to lead Santa Fe (11-8, 3-2), which plays a non-conference make-up game Tuesday at Green Ridge.

Westran 61, Slater 46

HUNTSVILLE -- Junior Roscoe Robinson scored 20 of his game-high 31 points during the first half as Westran took a 14-point lead into the break and coasted to a 61-46 Lewis and Clark Conference victory over visiting Slater.

Robinson accounted for 13 of the Hornets' 22 second-quarter points. Freshman Tycie Linneman added 13 points for Westran (8-10, 4-1 L&C), which has beaten the Wildcats in three out of their four meetings this season.

Senior Aric Falls logged 25 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- 14 rebounds and six steals for Slater (6-15, 0-8), which missed 16 out of 18 three-point attempts. The 'Cats will host cross-county rival Sweet Springs today.

Girls

Westran 65, Slater 27

HUNTSVILLE -- The top-ranked Westran girls remained unbeaten Friday, crushing Slater for a Lewis and Clark Conference home win, 65-27.

The Lady Hornets jumped out to a 20-2 lead and never looked back, although the Lady Wildcats showed some life by scoring 23 points during the middle frames. All-state senior Kayla Rice, who was averaging 18.7 points per game, racked up 31 points and sophomore Rachael Richards came off the bench to add 13 for Westran (10-9, 5-0 L&C).

Junior Rachel Gonzalez topped Slater (7-13, 1-7) with nine points, hitting a pair of shots from beyond the arc.

Orrick 69, Santa Fe 44

ALMA -- Senior Brittnee Nichols scored eight of her 20 points during the first quarter for Orrick, which used a 21-9 first quarter as a springboard Friday for a 69-44 I-70 Conference win at Santa Fe.

The Lady Chiefs stabilized the situation during the second period, until the Lady Bearcats came out of the break with a 19-11 surge. Senior Brittany Townsend had 18 points for Orrick (16-3, 4-1 I-70), which remains one game behind fourth-ranked Crest Ridge in the league standings.

Junior Dani Heimsoth paced Santa Fe (8-11, 3-2) with 21 points and seven rebounds.