Rattlers fall to Austin Bowie in thrilling non-district showdown

SMHS BOYS BASKETBALL

The Rattlers battled with Austin Bowie, but lost 57-56 in the final seconds on Tuesday night.

“We battled to take a lead in the last seconds, we just didn’t secure the basketball,” San Marcos head coach Dan Miller said. “It felt like a district game, and that’s what district is going to be like.”

Much like the rest of the game, it was neck-andneck in the first quarter. Cash Good led the way early for the Rattlers with seven points as San Marcos ended the quarter trailing 16-13.

San Marcos worked to close the gap in the second quarter, taking a 27-24 lead on a threepoint play by Donovan Riddick, who had seven points in the quarter. The Rattlers went into halftime trailing 28-27.

The game continued to be hard-fought to begin the second half, with neither team able to mount a lead by more than one possession. Riddick made a free throw to tie the game 41-41 going into the fourth.

Riddick started the fourth with a quickie 4-0 run to put the Rattlers up 45-41, but the Bulldogs answered back to take a 47-45 lead.

Each side continued to trade blows, but Riddick connected on a big three-pointer to give the Rattlers a 56-55 lead with just over a minute left in the game.

Austin Bowie tried to respond, taking the ball to the rim for a layup, but Rattler senior Damien Lestourgeon came up with a huge block to maintain the San Marcos lead.

After a Rattler turnover, Austin Bowie took the ball down the court and Joshua Baskin sunk a mid-range shot to take a 57-56 lead with 12.5 seconds left in the game.

San Marcos was able to drive inside the paint, but lost control of the ball as the buzzer went off.

After their three-game win streak was snapped, the Rattlers will look to regroup at the Snake Pit against Del Valle on Friday night.

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