San Benito storms from nine back at halftime to beat NMC
San Jose – Coming off a game where it only scored 24 points, the San Benito boys basketball team was naturally looking to get back on track offensively with a quick start.
That appeared to be the case when it quickly took a seven-point lead in Thursday’s consolation round game of the Independence Fukishima Invitational against North Monterey County.
A nearly two-quarter dry spell found the Haybalers trailing by nine at halftime, but San Benito recovered in time to earn a 51-47 win.
“It was just a great game, a great win,” coach John Becerra said. “They all hustled, they all played hard.”
The ‘Balers, which had a ton of missed shots in their loss to Homestead in the tournament’s opening round 39-24 loss Tuesday, took advantage of several early Condor turnovers to jump out to a 9-2 lead in the game’s first three minutes.
The rest of the half was a completely different story. San Benito was scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter and NMC finished the half on a 26-9 run to take a 28-19 lead into the break.
Things stayed even through most of the third quarter and midway through, the Condors still held a seven-point advantage.
A 3-pointer by the ‘Balers’ Todd Janisch made it a four-point game NMC hit a late shot to take a 37-31 lead after three periods.
San Benito showed its best spark of the season to begin the fourth, kicking it off with an 8-2 run to pull to within 39-38.
Gus Silva gave the ‘Balers their first lead since early in the second quarter when he hit a long two to make it 46-45 San Benito with 2:10 to play.
A putback by NMC’s Aaron Thurott regained the lead for the Condors but the ‘Balers’ David DeMateo drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:20 left to put San Benito on top for good.
With about 20 seconds left, NMC’s Reuben Damasco, who led the team with 19 points, tried to dribble in and connect on a runner but Kevin Burley delivered an emphatic block and a pair of free throws by Janisch, who paced the ‘Balers with 18 points, iced the win.
“We just kept playing hard and it worked out in the end,” said Burley, who had six points and five rebounds.
Becerra pointed out that much of the success came from his team spreading the ball around, with eight different players making the score sheet.
The predictability of the Condors, who were continually looking to Damasco for their offensive output, helped Burley make the defensive play of the game when he delivered the block that helped keep the NMC guard scoreless in the fourth quarter.
“They were very predictable,” Burley said. “They just kept looking for (Damasco). I saw him coming and just went up with him and blocked it.”
The win improves San Benito to 2-4 and advances them to the consolation finals today at 4:30pm. The Condors drop to 4-4 on the season.
