Westwood and Mountain Ridge exchanged momentum Thursday night in their 6A non-region girls basketball clash. Early in the second quarter, Westwood built an eight-point lead only to see it vanish to a 22-22 tie by halftime. The Warriors were in deeper distress after nearly six minutes of the third quarter -- on the short end of a 35-28 score.

Still somehow the #11 Warriors (9-6 overall, 5-2 power-ranking games) snapped out of mid-game doldrums to lead 38-37 with a quarter left. They owned the fourth quarter, particularly the last 3 1/2 minutes in posting a 54-47 victory over #7 Mountain Ridge (13-3, 7-2) in front of the Westwood faithful. The first power-rankings of the season were posted Thursday morning allowing teams to see where they stand. Power rankings will be updated on a weekly basis the rest of the regular season.

Westwood's control of the contest was swift as the fourth quarter began. The first five points were courtesy of junior Angie Montoya and boosted Westwood's lead to 43-37. Westwood never trailed again, but saw its lead slip to 46-45 with 3:36 to go.

Mountain Ridge had a chance to take the lead at that point, but Mountain Lions game-high scorer Miyah Verse (14 points) missed a shot after a Westwood turnover. Westwood's Ahmya Freeland missed a shot on the Warriors next possession, but teammate Kristine Scabby secured the rebound and putback to make it 48-45.

Neither team scored over the next 1 1/2 minutes. Mountain Ridge missed three shots and committed a turnover on a fourth possesion with two minutes remaining. Westwood's Briana Roanhorse's lauyup with 1:52 to play made it 50-45. Verse responded by sinking two free throws for Mountain Ridge's final points with 1:37 left. Two free throws apiece by Freeland and Scabby in the final 38 seconds sealed the victory.

Both teams don't play again until next week. Westwood hosts Basha on Tuesday (Jan. 10). Mountain Ridge welcomes Hamilton to the westside on Jan. 12.