Desert Ridge boys basketball coach Greg Ream is used to the peaks and valleys his team presents pretty much on a nightly basis.

It was more of the same Wednesday night when Desert Ridge hosted 6A Central Region foe Desert Vista. The peak came in the second half and was good enough to last much of that span and end in a 64-56 win for the Jaguars over the Thunder.

Desert Ridge improved to 10-5 overall, 5-2 in region to at least solidfy its hold on the 10th spot in the most recent power rankings. Desert Vista, in the midst of eight games in 12 days to close the season, is 4-5, 2-3. The Thunder entered play Wednesday 13th in the power rankings and needing to finish in the top 16 to earn a state tournament berth when the season ends March 5.

Senior guards Matt Haltorp, Joe Kelsey and Gavin Bray were the architects of the comeback from a 33-24 halftime deficit. Haltorp opened the third quarter with a three to initiate a gradual rally. Haltorp heated up in the fourth period to the tune of a 14-point quarter to finish with a game-high 22 points. Bray scored all eight of his points in the third period (two threes) and Kelsey had six of his 20 points in the third. Desert Ridge led heading to the final quarter, 44-40.

Desert Ridge expanded its lead to 54-44 with four minutes left with Haltorp scoring six points in a 10-2 run. Desert Vista took less than a minute to slice the deficit to 54-51, but Haltorp answered with a short jumper and Kelsey two free throws. Desert Vista still had life with 32 seconds left hitting a three to pull within 60-56. Haltorp iced it with four free throws,

"These kids never quit," Ream said. "We get ourselves in a hole sometimes, but they don't give up or get flustered. They always believe they can come back."

Desert Vista, playing without leading scorer Andrew King (18 ppg), got a solid play from several players in the first half not used to extra minutes. The first-half effort wasn't matched from the opening bucket of the second half.

"We played a good first half," Desert Vista coach Jordan Ballard said. "We had guys play well and pick it up for Andrew. Like we started the game though, our guys didn't know who to guard when the second half began and they got a quick three. Threes. That's their game. I'm not surprised they came back. We knew they weren't going to lay down. They didn't the first time we played."

Desert Vista featured balance offensively, led by 6-foot-6 junior forward Terrance Dixon Jr. (12 points). Brandon Trilli and Efrain Velez contributed 10 points each and Daylyn Martin finished a foul-plagued evening with nine points.

Desert Vista plays again on Thursday hosting Corona del Sol. Desert Ridge next plays Friday hosting Corona del Sol.