San Benito Hangs on for 36-35 Win at Notre Dame
Eight seconds left. Down by one on the road.
No problem.
The fast-improving San Benito girls basketball team calmly collected itself and used a field goal by Ashley Patton with time running down to come away with a 36-35 victory over host Notre Dame last night.
With the win, the Haybalers finished their first round of Tri-County Athletic League play with a record of 2-4. That sounds a lot better than 1-5 and looks even more encouraging because San Benito has now won two of its past three games.
“They’re pumped, they’re pumped,” said ‘Balers head coach Al Rowe of his team following the last-second thriller.
Trailing 35-34, San Benito used a timeout to set up a play that would get the ball in the hands of one of its two returning players. Coming off a screen, Patton received a pass and pulled up for a five-footer with a Spirits’ defender in her face that would clinch the game for her team.
The senior post player finished with seven points and led the ‘Balers’ efforts on the boards with a team-high eight rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.
San Benito (8-10) took a 19-17 lead into the half, but fell behind in the second half as the Spirits switched to a full-court, man-to-man defense. Once the ‘Balers calmed down, they were able to overcome a late six-point deficit to give themselves a chance with the game on the line.
“We didn’t make any mistakes this time,” said Rowe. “We took it right at ’em. It was a really intense, defensive game.”
After committing more than 30 turnovers in losing each of its first three league games, the ‘Balers enjoyed their third straight game of solid ball-handling. San Benito finished with a manageable 17 turnovers, an improvement Rowe knows is at the heart of his team’s turnaround.
“‘It’s going to be between turnovers and controlling the boards,'” Rowe told his team beforehand. “‘That’s what’s going to win this game.'”
The ‘Balers secured 14 offensive rebounds, led by Patton and Bri Romero, a sophomore who finished with three.
Freshman guard Vanessa Farias, who contributed nine points, scored six in the first quarter to spur the ‘Balers to a hot start.
Sophomore guard Elena Fata scored a team-high 10 points in what Rowe called “a tremendous game.” Romero finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
The win marked the first time in five years that San Benito defeated Notre Dame, a team that was 38-1 in TCAL play the last four full seasons. Notre Dame fell to 7-12 overall and 2-4 in league.
With the team’s next action not until it hosts Gilroy next Tuesday, Rowe was happy to give his players a much-deserved day off today.
How will the ‘Balers spend it? They’re headed to the movies.
But with Gilroy and North Salinas–“the power teams in this league”–on deck next week, Rowe hopes his team returns to practice tomorrow with renewed vigor.
“We’re going to give ’em the one day off and then come back hard,” said Rowe.
