ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School boys basketball team was dealt its first loss of the season on Saturday as it was defeated by Buena Vista 54-40 in the Erik Melgoza Shootout at the AHS gym.

The story of the game was that a total of 60 fouls were called – 35 by Alamosa and 25 by Buena Vista. Also five players fouled out and there were four technical fouls called.

The Demons used their size advantage to get off to a fast start. They scored the first 11 points of the game on a free throw by Hudson Wingo, a layup by Julian Lopez-Olson, two jumpers by Kaden Schell, a 3-point basket by Noah Bearss, and another free throw by Wingo.

Victor Zepeda made back-to-back 3-point baskets to cut the deficit to 11-6, but Lopez-Olson and Wingo both split at the line.Zepeda made his third three, but Schell made three out of four free tosses, and Lopez-Olson split at the line for a 17-9 Buena Vista lead at the end of the first quarter.

Schell began the second quarter with two free throws, and Noah Bearss scored a layup. Zepeda and Jaidyn Burciaga both made treys to close the gap to 21-15. However, Schell scored four points, Lopez-Olson three, and Wingo two to push the Demons’ lead to 30-15.

Burciaga drained another three, and Nelson Arambula made a free throw. But Lopez-Olson made two baskets to give Buena Vista a 34-19 at halftime.

Knox Reid opened the second half with jumper, but Caleb Brown answered for the Mean Moose. Wingo then scored five unanswered pints, followed by Lopez-Olson and Schell both with two for a 45-21 advantage.

Burciaga ended the run with a jumper and he later added a free throw. Matthew Solis made two free tosses to cut the deficit to 45-26. Burciaga made his third 3-pointer, Tony Griego made two free throws, and Josh Goinzalez made one to close within 46-32 at the end of the third quarter.

Buena Vista scored the first three points of the fourth quarter, but Jayden Lujan scored for the Mena Moose. After Wingo split at te line, Brown made two free throws and Ja’rell Long one to bring Alamosa within 50-37. Reid made one of two free throws and Wingo buried a three.

Evan Anderson nailed a 3-pointer to close out the scoring.

Zepeda and Burciaga both led the Mean Moose in scoring with 12 points apiece.

Buena Vista had three players score in double figures. Lopez-Olson led the way with 16, Schell scored 15 and Wingo 13.

A total of 65 free throws were attempted – 42 by Buena Vista and 23 by Alamosa.

Alamosa (1-1) will head to Greeley for the University Invitational. Its first game will be against Middle Park Thursday at 5 p.m. at University High.

Buena Vista 54, Alamosa 40

Buena Vista – Reid 1 1-2 3, N. Bearss 2 1-2 6, Schell 4 7-8 15, Lopez-Olson 6 4-13 16, Wingo 3 6-13 13, Richmond 0 0-0 0, Scott 0 0-2 0, J. Bearss 0 0-0 0, Pace 0 0-0 0, O’Reilly 0 0-0 0, Robison 0 0-0 0, Kueppers 0 0-0 0. Total 16 20-42 54.

3-point goals – N. Bearss 1, Wingo 1. Total 2.

Alamosa – Zepeda 4 0-0 12, Burciaga 4 1-2 12, Arambula 0 1-5 1, Griego 0 2-2 2, Brown 1 2-4 4, Solis 0 2-2 2, Mae 0 0-2 0, Lujan 1 0-2 2, Gonzalez 0 1-2 1, Anderson 1 0-0 3, Najera 0 0-0 0, Long 0 1-2 1. Total 11 10-23 40.

3-point goals – Zepeda 4, Burciaga 3, Anderson 1. Total 8.

Buena Vista 17 17 12 8 – 54

Alamosa 9 10 13 8 – 40

Fouls – Buena Vista 25, Alamosa 35. Fouled out – J. Bearss, Schell; Griego, Lujan, Zepeda. Technical fouls – Wingo; Alamosa bench, Solis, Zepeda.