Victoria College Pirates celebrate after winning the championship for a second year in a row. They defeated Northwest Vista College Wildcats Sunday in McDermott Convocation at Incarnate Word. Eric M. Valdez
Victoria College wins league tournament championship two years in a row.
By R.T. Gonzalez
In an aggressive championship game featuring three technical fouls, the Victoria College Lady Pirates beat the Northwest Vista Lady Wildcats 73-67 Sunday to win their second Texas Collegiate Club Sports League tournament.
With championship in mind, both teams contributed to a nail-biter contest in McDermott Convocation Center at the University of the Incarnate Word.
The Pirates went on a 12-0 scoring run in the first 11 minutes of the half.
However, the wildcats were unfazed and able to pull back within 5 points at the 6-minute mark, making the game close 25-21.
With five minutes left in the half, Pirates center Elissa Beaudoin took Wildcat kinesiology sophomore Mercedes Garrett to the floor with a controversial foul, getting the crowd on their feet.
The hard impact left Garrett on the court with Northwest Vista’s coach Daniel Johnson tending to her knee.
Beaudoin was not fouled with a charge. Instead, Garrett got charged with a controversial blocking foul, and she was called out the game with an injury.
The halftime score was a close 40-36 with Victoria College in the lead.
Northwest Vista was finally able to gain the lead 46-45 within six minutes of the second half.
Even with the change in the leading team, Victoria College’s coach Allison Peters said the Pirates were able to keep their head on straight and continued to play with authority.
“We handled it well, stayed calm and just played our game,” Peters said.
With only four minutes left in the game, the Pirates went on a 14-2 scoring run, slipping away with the championship game.
“The game went great,” Johnson said. “I’ve got a very good talented defensive team.”
Northwest Vista’s defense helped them keep the game close until the end, but Victoria College’s ability to stay calm and fight gave the Pirates a victory over the Wildcats 74-67.
“We had a lot of heart and we wanted it more than the other team,” Peters said.
