BURNS – The road wasn’t very kind to Grant Union basketball last week.

The Grant Union boys basketball team fell 55-52 and the girls lost 54-13 in Burns Thursday, Feb. 7.

The loss gave the boys an Eastern Oregon League record of 2-6, putting them out of contention for the playoffs.

Despite the losing record the Pros have had a strong season, with several of the games ending close. They fell 58-47 during their last meeting with Burns on Jan. 19, but seven points of the deficit came from free throws in the final two minutes of the game.

The Pros had an even closer game last week in Burns, leading all the way until near the end of the fourth quarter, when the Hilanders took a one-point lead. Grant Union got the ball back, but turned it over with seven seconds to play, and the Pros were forced to foul. The Pros never recovered and lost the game.

“It was a tough loss,” Grant Union boys coach Brad Smith said. “They played as well as they had all year long. It was pretty intense both ways.”

Austin Ranft led the team with 20 points. Ryne Smith, Sam Rawlins and Ranft defended Burns’ guards well. Burns’ guards average more than 30 points a game, but were held to 17 points in the game.

The Grant Girls were overwhelmed by the Hilanders for the second time this season. Burns won 55-20 during their first meeting on Jan. 19. However, Burns is ranked first in the EOL, and has gone 8-0 in EOL play this season.

Despite the loss, Grant Union’s girls remain on pace for the playoffs. Nyssa has a slight lead with a record of 4-5 to Grant Union’s 3-5. If they win their two remaining games, they will are likely to clinch third place.

The Grant Girls faced Riverside on Tuesday, Feb. 12, but the game finished after press time.

They will face Umatilla at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in Prairie City. The game was moved to Prairie City because of the 1A District 8 basketball tournament taking place at Grant Union.

Grant Union beat both Riverside and Umatilla in their first meetings.

Nyssa will play second-place Vale on Friday, Feb. 15. If the Grant Girls win both games and Nyssa loses, Grant Union will advance into the playoffs.