San Benito’s big second half gives Homecoming crowd plenty to
cheer about
Gilroy – After scoring 65 points against North Salinas the night before in an 81-75 loss to the Vikings, San Benito scored just eight points in the first half Friday against Live Oak.
But that all changed in the second half for the ‘Balers when coach Al Rowe decided to go back to “the good stuff.”
“We used in our second half what we usually run in the first half and that’s what we’re best at,” Rowe said. “Fortunately, it showed at the end of the game.”
Not showing all the cards early paid off for the San Benito. The ‘Balers outscored the Acorns 31-20 in the second half for a 39-31 Homecoming win.
Vanessa Farias led the ‘Balers with 13 points. Ashley Patton added nine points off the bench, Bri Romero scored eight and defensive specialist Simone Baker, back from an ankle injury for the first time since late December, chipped in four points.
“What won it for us was free throws,” Rowe said. The team shot 72 percent from the line, going 12-for-17 in the important second half.
Meanwhile, San Benito was successful in keeping Live Oak, a good free-throw shooting team, off the charity stripe.
Live Oak’s scoring leaders were Sarah Goodere (12 points), Annalise Curley (10 points) and Megan Gulla (4 points).
Against North Salinas, Farias led the ‘Balers with 18 points, Elena Fata added 15 and Ari Romero scored 12 points.
“It was a fantastic game to come out and score that many,” Rowe said. “How much more can you ask for out of your offense?”
However, second-place North Salinas’ own highly-potent offense was too much. Briana Matthews – Rowe’s choice for MVP of the TCAL – led the Vikings with 31 points.
San Benito has Live Oak and Salinas on tap for next week.
San Benito 39, Live Oak 31
Live Oak 4 7 8 12 -31
San Benito 5 3 13 18 -39
San Benito (9-12, 3-6), Live Oak (9-13, 3-6)
