Communication design sophomore Bea Garcia gets trapped against the sideline as she looks for an open teammate as Northwest Vista Lady Wildcats block her attempt Wednesday. Daniel Arguelles
Vista completes comeback, defeats Lady Rangers 51-47.
By Michael Peters
mpeters28@student.alamo.edu
The home crowd was going wild; the Lady Rangers were in the midst of a 24-6 run, giving them a comfortable 12-point lead late in the first half.
Northwest Vista was staring down the possibility of seeing the game slip away as they struggled to hit their stride. Then, in the closing seconds of the first half, Vista snatched momentum and, eventually, the victory 51-47 over the Lady Rangers Wednesday in Candler Physical Education Center.
With just seconds remaining in the first half, kinesiology sophomore Leslie Rosales tossed up a long range 3-pointer that somehow found its way into the hoop as the buzzer sounded to end the first half.
Rosales shrugged her shoulders with her hands out like Michael Jordan in Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals as her teammates raced to greet her at center court.
Visibly energized by the amazing shot; momentum had swung in favor of the Lady Wildcats.
Down 27-18 at halftime, the Lady Wildcats took the momentum and turned it into a 35-33 lead.
Momentum would swing again, this time in favor of the Lady Rangers as they took advantage of Vista turnovers to take a 38-35 lead.
Down 47-46 with about one minute remaining in the game, accounting freshman Claire Renteria grabbed the offensive rebound after Vista missed consecutive free throws before dishing to criminal justice sophomore Josalyn Madrigal for a 3-pointer.
Vista would add two free throws before game’s end.
The loss dropped the Lady Rangers to 0-2 on the season after last week’s 87-44 loss to Southwest Texas Junior College.
The victory brought the Lady Wildcats’ record to 2-0 after last week’s 63-35 defeat of St. Philip’s.
Communication design sophomore Bea Garcia and education sophomore Samantha Lopez battled to the end.
Women’s basketball coach Forris Phillips was proud of his team’s effort and noted the vast improvement they made from their first performance of the season.
“(It’s) a tough loss, but they fought hard and I’m proud of that,” Phillips said. “We made silly mental mistakes, but we’ll get it corrected one game at a time.”
Up next for the Lady Rangers will be Victoria College 6 p.m. Wednesday at VC sports center gym.
The Lady Wildcats will take on Southwest Texas Junior College 6 p.m. Wednesday at Huisache Hall.
