Playoff hopes were strengthened for one and dented for another Thursday night after Perry pulled away late to knock off Skyline, 65-53, in a 5A East Valley Region boys basketball game at Skyline High.

Perry, a member of 5A-II in the predominantly 5A-I East Valley Region, ran its overall record to 11-12 and its region mark to 6-3. More importantly the Pumas are now 8-7 in power -point games and should at least maintain a spot at 12 or 13 in the 5A-II power rankings. Skyline dropped to 11-11, 3-7. The Coyotes are 8-7 in power-point games and sit at 19tth in the 5A-I rankings.

Seniors Dillon Smock and Chase Richardson paced Perry with 26 and 16 points, respectively. Smock netted 12 of his points in the fourth period and Richardson eight of his in the third at critical times that helped Perry break open a tight game.

"Our execution in the second half was better than it's been all season," Perry coach Mark Nold said. "That's the way we need to play down the stretch. We play better when we play as a team. That's how we played tonight."

With Perry leading 36-35 late in the third period, a scramble for a loose ball led to some pushing and shoving and a technica foul on Skyline. While the teams were regrouping during a timeout Skyline's bench was given a second technical. Richardson ended up shooting four technical free throws and made three with 1:07 left in the quarter. On the ensuing possession, Perry's Matt Bracamonte made a short jumper and the Pumas had stretched had the lead to 41-35 heading to the fourth quarter.

That lead wasn't insurmountable and Skyline made a run at the beginning of the period. A pair of baskets by Skyline's Angel Ung (team-high 15 points) and one by Jonathan Sims brought the Coyotes within 45-44 with four minutes remaining.

The rest of the way it was all free throws and layups for Perry as they posted a 13-2 run over the next 2 1/2 minutes. Smock scored 10 of those points. Perry made five layups, a 3 and six free throws in that span. Skyline didn't help its comeback effort from the free-throw line. The Coyotes shot 10 free throws in the final period and made just two.

"That was the difference," Skyline coach Michael Wirth said. "We either make most of our free throws or miss a bunch. Some nights we make 75 or 80 percent. Other nights it might by 45 percent...... We have three games left and we're going to need to win them all to have a chance."