San Benito survived a determined Alisal team to win 49-46 in a
Saturday afternoon matinee.
The two evenly matched teams were not able to gain much momentum
in the game. But the Balers came up with some critical shots when
needed.
San Benito survived a determined Alisal team to win 49-46 in a Saturday afternoon matinee.
The two evenly matched teams were not able to gain much momentum in the game. But the Balers came up with some critical shots when needed.
“It seems like they always play us tough,” said Baler coach Tom Dean, whose team is 10-4. “I have a lot of respect for their program. They should contend for the MBL crown, and we could see them again in the playoffs.”
Trisha Lee led all scorers with 21 points, including several key baskets down the stretch. Her free throws with 20 second left sealed the game.
“I don’t think about if the game is on the line,” Lee said. “I just take the shot when I am open. The girls down low did a good job.”
The Balers had a good game on the boards, pulling in 41 rebounds. But the team was only eight for 26 from the free-throw line.
“It was a major battle down low,” Dean said. “We played more under control tonight than we have in the past. The players were talking to me and suggesting things that we can do. That is a sign of a growing basketball team.”
The Balers had 18 turnovers – a number Dean said he is happy with.
“Anytime we can keep it under 20 we can win,” Dean said.
Janet Oseguera powered her way in for 16 points for Alisal including a 6-for-12 performance from the free-throw line.
“Their big girl was getting some big shots off, and we couldn’t stop her,” said Jamie Hall, who did a good job in the post herself. “But we started to pick it up and attack the basket more.”
The Balers were forced to play catchup ball most of the first half. They were down 12-14 at the end of the first. The drought continued in the second half as the Balers found themselves down 20-14.
Senior Mallorie Wilson came up with a big bucket and hit the following free throw with 3:29 left before the half. After back-to-back buckets by Danielle Andrewson, the Balers took a one-point a minute later.
The Balers got off to a quick start in the third quarter as Wilson hit a basket and Lee drained a three pointer – the Balers’ only trey – to put the team up 28-25.
Hall, who had six points, had a turnaround shot to put the Balers up 34-27 and forced Alisal to call a timeout. Crystina Osbourne did a good job to beat the third-quarter buzzer to give the Balers a 38-32 cushion going into the final frame.
But the Trojans (7-6) scored eight unanswered points to start the fourth quarter to go up by two points. Courtney Almaguer had big back-to-back buckets to give the Balers a 47-43 lead with three minutes to go.
San Bentito was up 47-46 with a minute to go before forcing a travel. With 20.9 seconds to go, Lee was fouled and hit both free throws.
Alisal 14 11 7 14––46
San Benito 12 11 15 11––49
Alisal: Ongy 5 0-1 10, Oseguera 5 6-12 16, Barocio 1 1-2 12, Bacon 3 0-0 6, Shaw 1 0-0 2, Alonzo 0 0-4 0
San Benito: Lee 7 4-5 1 21, Andrewson 3 0-0 6, Almaguer 2 1-3 5, Osbourne 2 0-2 4, Wilson 2 1-3 5, Hall 2 2-6 6,Patton 1 0-0 2
Three-pointers — A-Baracio (3); SB-Lee
