After last week’s high of sweeping the season series against
rival Gilroy and defeating Palma for the first time in six years,
the San Benito boys’ basketball came back to Earth Friday night
with a 79-46 loss to Salinas in Tri-County Athletic League
play.
SALINAS
After last week’s high of sweeping the season series against rival Gilroy and defeating Palma for the first time in six years, the San Benito boys’ basketball came back to Earth Friday night with a 79-46 loss to Salinas in Tri-County Athletic League play.
A close first quarter — the Cowboys led just 18-16 — quickly transformed in the second and third quarters, when Salinas outscored San Benito by a 43-15 margin, and entered the final period with a 61-31 lead.
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“They were on all cylinders tonight,” San Benito head coach Tracy Carpenter said of the Cowboys, who are now 10-0 in the TCAL and 21-1 overall.
“There’s a reason they’re undefeated,” Carpenter added.
The 79 points allowed by the Balers is the most this season. The previous high was 75, although that came in a 79-75 victory against Gilroy on Jan. 7.
On Friday, Salinas had four players in double digits, including Frank Rogers, who led all scorers with 19 points.
Meanwhile, Eric Elayda led the Balers with 16 points, while Jordan Belton added 11 points.
“Our only chance was to milk down the shot clock, and we played in too much of a hurry,” Carpenter said. “But they’re good.”
The loss snaps the Balers’ five-game winning streak, and it’s the team’s first loss since Jan. 19 — a 65-50 defeat at home to Salinas.
San Benito is now 8-3 in the TCAL, 13-10 overall.
The loss doesn’t affect the TCAL standings, however, as Gilroy (6-4) lost to Palma (7-4) by a 61-50 margin on Friday night. The Balers remain in second place, behind Salinas, as a result.
San Benito will play its final regular season game on Wednesday night at home. The Balers will host Everett Alvarez at 7 p.m,. in what will be Senior Night for the home team.
TEAM 1 2 3 4 F
SANB 16 8 7 15 46
SALN 18 19 24 18 79
San Benito (46): J. Belton 3 1 2-5 11, J. Canchola 0 1 0-0 3, C. Sepulveda 0 2 1-2 7, E. Elayda 1 4 2-2 16, L. Haro 1 0 0-0 2, J. Tonascia 1 0 0-0 2, H. Miskin 1 1 0-0 5.
