Fans banned from basketball game

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The stands were nearly empty for the Los Lunas-Rio Grande girls' basketball game Thursday night, all because of what happened when the same two teams met two weeks ago.

During that game, two players got into a fistfight and fans rushed the court, nearly hurting Los Lunas head coach Shane Bell.

Only school officials, game officials and the media were allowed in the game Thursday, along with Bernalillo County sheriff's deputies to prevent the game from getting out of hand again.

"Hopefully, this is a learning experience for both the fans as well as the athletes," said Robert Zayas of the New Mexico Activities Association.

The NMAA said last month's scuffle followed a three-year feud between the teams.

Rio Grande won in a nail-biter, 56 to 52. The two teams won't meet again this season unless they meet in the playoffs.