The Auburn boys basketball team dropped a match to Puyallup Tuesday, 65-59, in the South Puget Sound League 4A tournament at Rogers High School in Puyallup.

The Trojans (12-9) fell behind 18-8 at the end of the first quarter and never caught up, despite outscoring the Vikings (13-8) 24-18 in the fourth quarter.

JJ Ruffin led the way for Auburn with 19 points, Rio Paul added 13 and Marquise Prader had 10.

Puyallup’s Nick Gutierrez had a game-high 22 points, and DJ Winter chipped in 19.

The loss earned the Trojans the No. 8 seed into the West Central District III/Southwest District 4 tournament, which began for AHS Thursday against Union High School in Camas. Results were unavailable at press time.

A win against Union would earn Auburn a 4:30 p.m. game Saturday against either Bellarmine Prep (11-10) or Kentwood (16-6) at Auburn High School.

A loss would put the Trojans in the district consolation bracket and a game against either Bellarmine Prep or Kentwood at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

The district tournament continues next week and ends Feb. 22.

The 4A Boys Basketball regional tournament begins March 1 at locations to be determined.

The 2014 Hardwood Classic Washington State Championship tournament is March 6-8 at the Tacoma Dome.