The Haybalers may be going into the playoffs on a three-game
losing streak, but coach Tom Dean said his team is in a good
position to cause some damage.
San Benito (18-9, 5-5 TCAL) wrapped up its season by giving
league front-runner Notre Dame a scare before losing 53-47 in the
final game of the regular season Thursday night.
The Haybalers may be going into the playoffs on a three-game losing streak, but coach Tom Dean said his team is in a good position to cause some damage.
San Benito (18-9, 5-5 TCAL) wrapped up its season by giving league front-runner Notre Dame a scare before losing 53-47 in the final game of the regular season Thursday night.
“I feel better about this team going into the playoff than I did four weeks ago,” Dean said. “I am excited about our chances. The team has continued to improve. That is all you can ask.”
Notre Dame coach John Given said it was toughest league game his team has played.
“We knew that they were going to come out strong after the loss to Salinas,” Given said. “They always play us tough. This was a game that we just gutted out.”
The Balers had to play from behind against Notre Dame (21-4, 10-0 TCAL). But that didn’t stop them from making things interesting.
Down by 10 in the third quarter, San Benito went on a 9-0 run. During that span Jaime Hall had three blocks in less than minute to force Notre Dame to call timeout.
The Balers, who tied the score at 40-40 heading to the final frame, took the lead on a basket by Cortney Almaguer. Almaguer scored all nine of her points in the second half.
With 2:40 left, Notre Dame went up 48-44. San Benito closed within 50-47 with a minute and a half left on a Hall basket but couldn’t get any closer.
The Balers were behind 5-0 right from the start after Krysten Martin opened up the game with a three pointer and then followed with a steal and basket. She had another three, and San Benito was down 19-15 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Notre Dame continued the momentum with a pair of threes and a bucket in the first minute to force San Benito to call a timeout down 27-15. The Balers kept clawing back and were down 32-26 at the half.
Both San Benito’s Trisha Lee and Notre Dame’s Jessica Ross were in foul trouble and hit to sit out a good portion of the second half.
“Notre Dame is a very skilled, disciplined team that plays good fundamental basketball,” Dean said. “They are an exciting to watch. But we are also exciting the way we have been playing.”
San Benito 15 11 14 7––47
Notre Dame 19 13 8 13––53
San Benito: Flores 2 0-0 4, Kieswetter 2 1-2 5, Lee 3 1-3 9, Osbourne 2 1-2 5, Hall 6 1-4 13, Wilson 1 0-0 2, Almaguer 3 3-6 9. Totals 19 7-17 47.
Notre Dame: Given 1 0-0 2, Schutzler 0 1-2 1, Daye 5 2-6 13, Ross 6 2-4 16, Martin 7 3-4 19, Caoagan 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 8-16 53.
