Trojans mounts second-half comeback, edge San Benito 49-46
The Alisal Trojans outscored San Benito 27-11 in the second half, 15-3 in the fourth quarter, en route to a 49-46 victory over the visiting Haybalers Friday night in Salinas.
The loss puts San Benito at 8-3 in the Tri-County Athletic League. However, North Salinas, which was battling for second place with San Benito, also lost Friday to Salinas, 77-50.
The Vikings are now 6-4 in the TCAL and will face Palma on Wednesday before San Benito on Friday.
At Alisal, Tyler Ruiz had 21 points, 19 in the first half, to lead San Benito. Tim Von Urff added eight points, six rebounds and a pair of assists.
San Benito as a team, however, struggled to make a shot in the third and fourth quarters. They led 35-22 at the break, but shot 18 percent (5 of 28) from the field and couldn’t keep the Trojans at bay in the second half.
“In the first half, we were shooting pretty well, and in the second half we weren’t shooting as well,” coach John Becerra said. “They started hitting their shots and that was it.”
The ‘Balers also couldn’t buy a foul. With Alisal already in the double-bonus late in the first quarter, the Trojans shot 18 of 42 from the free-throw line Friday. San Benito, on the other hand, shot 2 of 10.
“They called a lot of fouls … They called too many fouls,” Becerra said. “We went to a zone (defense) and they were still calling fouls.”
The ‘Balers, which opened the game in a man defense, played zone from the second period on.
San Benito took a 43-34 lead to the final stanza, but Alisal slowly marched back into the game after the ‘Balers completed only one field goal.
The Trojans tied the game when Jonathan Sosa banked in a jumper with 1:14 remaining in regulation, while Jordan Ramirez made 2 of 2 free throws with 43.8 seconds left to give Alisal a 48-46 lead.
On the following possession, the ‘Balers looked to tie the game up at 48-all, but a missed San Benito jump shot led to a loose ball in the paint. Alisal’s Elias Rivera dove for the ball and slid across the floor as a result.
“The guy rolling across at the end,” Becerra said, “it’s a travel, but they didn’t call it.”
After Alisal’s Ramirez made the back end of two free throws to make it 49-46, the ‘Balers had one final attempt to tie the game. But with just 5.1 seconds remaining, San Benito’s 3-point attempt was blocked.
“We were right there, even with all those calls against us,” Becerra said. “They worked hard – the whole team and everyone on the court.”
San Benito has one game remaining against North Salinas Friday at 7 p.m.
Team 1 2 3 4 F
SB 12 23 8 3 46
ALI 10 12 12 15 49
SB (46) – Ruiz 9 1 0 21, Von Urff 1 2 0 8, DeMateo 1 1 1 6, Burley 1 0 0 2, Canchola 1 0 0 2, Zanella 0 0 1 1, Taylor 1 0 0 2, Pina 2 0 0 4.
JV Note:
The San Benito junior varsity team defeated Alisal 63-48 Friday night in Salinas.
Coach Mitch Burley said it was a very good game from his San Benito squad, which was somewhat depleted due to sickness, and dressed only nine players.
San Benito is now 5-6 in the Tri-County Athletic League, 17-10 overall.
Frosh Note:
The San Benito freshmen team remained perfect in the Tri-County Athletic League when they defeated Alisal 50-26 Friday night in Salinas.
The Haybalers are now 11-0 in the TCAL, 21-4 overall.
