09.17.22 - Teams
Two 90-point rides propel Arizona Ridge Riders to victory against Missouri Thunder in Oklahoma City
The Ridge Riders snapped a three-game losing streak, outdueling the Thunder by two rides.
By Kacie Albert
Arizona Ridge Riders: 271.25 / Missouri Thunder: 89.5
OKLAHOMA CITY – Bookending their efforts Saturday evening with two monstrous 90-point scores, the Arizona Ridge Riders trounced the Missouri Thunder, 271.25-89.5, to snap a three-game losing streak and collect their first win at the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Oklahoma City.
First-round draft pick Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) began the five-on-five showdown for the Ridge Riders with a bang, conquering Top Shelf (P. Ro Ranch/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle) for a commanding 90.5 points. The 90-point score was the seventh of the season and the first for the Ridge Riders.
The Thunder quickly responded, pulling within a point of the lead when Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) reached the requisite 8 atop Tijuana Two Step (M Rafter E Bucking Bulls) for 89.5 points. As the second got underway, the Ridge Riders’ momentum continued, growing their lead to 90.25 points when Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) bested War Cry (Broken Arrow S Ranch/Sutton Ranch) for 89.25 points.
The three-out ride streak to start the game ended in the bottom of the second when newly inked Thunder rider Alvaro Alvarez Aguilar (La Punta Lagos Moreno, Mexico) was whipped to the ground in a quick 2.78 seconds by One Cord Song (Shuler Bucking Bulls).
After scoreless third and fourth frames, the Ridge Riders had the chance to clinch the game in the top of the fifth when Marco Eguchi (Poa, Brazil) was paired with Tested’s Viper (Hookin’ W Ranch/LeFlore Bucking Bulls). Eguchi matched the striking animal athlete jump-for-jump en route to the whistle and was awarded a game-best 91.5 points, sealing the game win for the Ridge Riders. After the Thunder bucked off in the final out of the game, the Ridge Riders claimed their win, 271.25-89.5.
The Ridge Riders are now 1-1 at PBR Freedom Fest and 11-7 this season and will play the Nashville Stampede (1-1 | 5-13) during the final round of games in Oklahoma City. The win also allowed the Ridge Riders to surpass the Austin Gamblers for the No. 2 rank in the league standings. The Thunder, who fell to 1-1 in Oklahoma City and 9-9 this season, will look to rebound when they play the Kansas City Outlaws (0-2 | 7-11) on Sunday, Sept. 18, inside Paycom Center.
PBR Freedom Fest concludes Sunday, Sept. 18, at 1:45 p.m. CT. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Paycom Center Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Oklahoma City. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.