The Rochester boys basketball team battled back from a halftime deficit to get within a few points of Shelton, but a late Highclimber rally handed the Warriors a 45-28 loss.

“Can’t fault their effort,” Rochester coach Caleb Sells said. “We were just having a hard time putting the ball in the bucket.”

Shelton’s 2-3 zone gave the Warriors issues, but they scored 15 points in the third to cut the deficit to four entering the fourth quarter.

“We went on a little run,” Sells said. “The kids bought in and did exactly what we asked them to do.”

The Highclimbers pulled away in the fourth before adding on several free throws down the stretch, while the Warriors (0-2) scored just four points in the final frame.

Brayden O’Connor led Rochester offensively with 11 points, while Lane Morgan scored six and LeShawn Hines added five.

While it is the Warriors’ second loss in as many games, Sells did like the effort and outcome when compared to their loss to Mark Morris in the season opener.

“I feel like we’ve improved a lot already,” Sells said. “The kids keep working hard. Good things are coming their way.”

Rochester will return home on Tuesday, when Kalama comes to town.