San Benito avenges previous two-point loss by beating
Salinas
Hollister – The San Benito girls basketball team kicked off second round action in the Tri-County Athletic League on Thursday.
That meant the Haybalers began their string of replaying the teams against which they dropped three straight two-point decisions.
If Thursday’s result provides any foreshadowing, San Benito might like how the second half of the season will go as the ‘Balers returned the favor to Salinas by earning a 59-57 win.
The Cowboys beat the ‘Balers 51-49 in both team’s TCAL opener Jan. 3.
Elena Fata was lights out from all over the court, dropping in a game- and season-high 30 points in the victory, including 12 in the fourth quarter to help San Benito (6-12, 3-4 TCAL) hand Salinas (13-9, 5-2) its second loss of the league season.
Fata had five 3-pointers and was 7 of 9 from the free-throw line, including hitting all three free throws when she was fouled attempting a 3-pointer.
After holding an early 9-4 lead, the ‘Balers trailed throughout most of this one. Salinas called a timeout when it was facing the quick five-point deficit and responded with a 7-0 run and the first quarter ended with the Cowboys leading 13-11.
Salinas pushed that lead to 31-26 at halftime and led by as much as 43-36 in the third quarter.
But a pair of baskets by Megan Halstead, who scored nine of her 14 points in the third, trimmed the deficit to three entering the fourth quarter.
San Benito took its first lead since the first quarter when Fata hit a 3-pointer to make it 49-47.
After Salinas tied the game twice, Fata gave the ‘Balers the lead for good with another trey to make it 54-53.
The Cowboys trimmed the lead to one on three different occasions, but Vanessa Farias made it a two-point lead with a free throw with 4.5 seconds to go and a last second runner by Salinas’ Mia Musones didn’t fall and San Benito got the win.
Farias finished with 11 points and Hannah Larick paced the Cowboys with 13. Fabiola Castro and Megan Land each had 11 in Salinas’ balanced offensive attack.
The ‘Balers are back in action Monday, when they travel to face Notre Dame at 7pm.
Junior varsity
San Benito rallied from a 23-14 halftime deficit to down Salinas 44-30.
Victoria Aguilera had 15 points and eight rebounds, Lauren Adamek had 12 points and nine rebounds and Talia Gonzalez, Crystal Perriera, Sandy Meza and Elyssa Verzosa all helped stepped up the intensity in the second half to deliver the win.
