The Haybalers weren’t able to get much going in the first half
against Monte Vista Christian but turned up the pressure in the
second to win 58-38.
San Benito jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead to start the game,
but Monte Vista kept the pressure on and got within 15-11 at the
end of the first quarter with some of the Baler bench players
getting the chance to play.
The Haybalers weren’t able to get much going in the first half against Monte Vista Christian but turned up the pressure in the second to win 58-38.
San Benito jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead to start the game, but Monte Vista kept the pressure on and got within 15-11 at the end of the first quarter with some of the Baler bench players getting the chance to play.
The Mustangs (2-9) tied the score at 18-18 in the second quarter after the Baler starting five subbed in with 3:31 left. Even with the starters in, the Balers had trouble generating much offensively before the half.
San Benito (11-4) took a 25-21 lead at halftime thanks to a nice rebound and putback by Jamie Hall on a missed free throw.
The second half was a whole different story. The Balers switched up from their box-one and three-two zone defenses and went to the man-to-man to create more pressure.
“We didn’t want to go man right away because they had just two wins,” Dean said. “We let them dictate the tempo early on. When we picked up the tempo in the second half, good things started to happen.”
The added intensity helped the Balers limit the Mustangs to just six points in the third quarter and 17 in the second half.
Ashley Patton, who scored seven points, took a couple hard fouls in the game. Andee Walton was able to get her hand up on an baseline inbounds play on the Balers’ side of the court for a steal and feed to Lee for a bucket early in the fourth quarter. Then a minute later, Simens was fouled and made both shots.
Lee, who led all scoring with 21 points, hit a three pointer and a long two to put the Balers up 49-28 and force Monte Vista to call a timeout.
Christina Osbourne led the Balers with 10 rebounds.
The Balers wrap up their preseason schedule Friday at North County and then against Monterey on Monday.
Monte Vista 11 10 6 11––38
San Benito 15 1014 19––58
San Benito: Wilson 2 5-6 9, Andrewson 3 0-0 6, Lee 9 2-5 21, Hall 3 0-2 6, Patton 2 3-4 7, Anaya 1 0-2 2, Walton 1 1-1 3, Simens 0 2-2 2, Kieswetter 1 0-0 2. Totals: 22 13-23 58.
Monte Vista: Ruvago 1 0-2 2, Turner 5 1-3 11, Hinman 0 1-3 1, Kusaba 0 1-2 1, Skillicorn 4 0-1 11, Lira 2 5-6 9, Manfre 1 1-2 3. Totals 7 7-11 38.
Three pointers: MV-Skillicorn(3), SB-Lee
