On the road Tuesday for a first-place showdown against the Battle Mountain Huskies in Edwards, the Glenwood Springs Demons girls basketball team dropped a 50-45 decision, falling into second place in the 4A Western Slope League standings.

Against the Huskies, Glenwood took a 15-10 lead after one quarter of play, but a 16-8 advantage in the second quarter gave Battle Mountain a 26-23 halftime lead. Glenwood then took a 33-31 lead heading into the fourth quarter of play before the Huskies outscored the Demons 19-12 in the final eight minutes for the 5-point win.

In the loss, senior guard Emily Worline led the way with 12 points, hitting three 3-pointers. Seniors Ximena Gutierrez and junior forward Qwynn Massie added 8 points each, while junior Hadley Yellico added 6 points, hitting one 3-pointer. As a team, Glenwood struggled from the free-throw line, going 11-for-19, leaving 8 points on the floor.

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The loss drops Glenwood to 13-9 (9-2 4A WSL) on the season. The Demons travel to Palisade Friday for the final game of the regular season.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

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Rifle 39, Eagle Valley 33

Hosting the Eagle Valley Devils Tuesday night inside Jack Smith Gymnasium, the Rifle Bears girls basketball team picked up an important 39-33 win as the regular season winds down.

Rifle scored 12 points in the first quarter and 14 points in the second quarter before scoring just 13 second-half points to pick up the win. The Bears were led by senior Masi Smith, who poured in 21 points — 19 of which came in the first half. Junior Mackenzie Elizardo added 7 points in the win for Rifle, while freshman Jamie Caron and junior Delaney Phillips added 5 points each.

The Bears (5-15, 5-5 4A WSL) travel to Summit Wednesday for a makeup game against the Tigers.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Glenwood Springs 74, Battle Mountain 64

A 26-point performance by standout senior guard Chano Gonzalez led the Glenwood Springs Demons boys basketball team to a key 74-64 win over the Battle Mountain Huskies Tuesday night in Edwards in 4A Western Slope League action.

The win helped the Demons bounce back from a tough home loss on Saturday to Steamboat Springs, keeping Glenwood’s league championship hopes alive.

Gonzalez scored 12 of his 26 points in the second quarter, helping Glenwood put up a 29-point quarter as a team on the way to the 10-point win. Along with Gonzalez, senior center Holden Kleager poured in a season-high 13 points, hitting two 3-pointers in the win, while junior Mitchell Burt added 10 points, and seniors Luke Gair, Erwin Rodriguez and Kevin Ayon added 7 points each.

Glenwood (17-5, 10-1 4A WSL) travels to Palisade Friday for the regular season finale against the Bulldogs.

Rifle 51, Eagle Valley 43

Taking on the Eagle Valley Devils Tuesday night inside Jack Smith Gymnasium, the Rifle Bears boys basketball team knocked off the Devils 51-43 to get back on track in 4A Western Slope League action.

Junior guard Garrett Robinson did the heavy lifting for the Bears on the night, leading Rifle with 15 points, hitting three 3-pointers in the winning effort. Along with Robinson, seniors Joel Lopez and Omar Chavez added 10 and 9 points, respectively, in the win. Juniors Carter Pressler and Trey Lujan added 8 and 7 points each.

Rifle (12-9, 3-7 4A WSL) travels to Summit Wednesday for a makeup game with the Tigers.

jcarney@postindependent.com