Outscored 25-2 in the second quarter and held to five field goals in four quarters, the Dolores High School girls lost 60-16 to Ignacio at home on Feb. 4.
Somewhat slowed in the first quarter by starters Chandler Smith, senior Allie Kibel and freshman Eva Abshire, Dolores’ deficit after eight minutes was just 12-4. But when Kibel picked up her third foul on a Marissa Olguin breakaway attempt with 6:30 minutes until halftime, it seemed to incense and awaken the visitors.
Shaken up after hitting the gymnasium wall, Olguin was removed from play and senior Avaleena Nanaeto swished two free throws in her place, inflating Ignacio’s lead to 20-4.
Ignacio senior Elisia Cruz further increased the lead to 29-4 by hitting the team’s first 3-pointer, and the Bobcats led 32-4 before Bears freshman Halee Kibel made a free thrown to stop the guests’ 20-point spree.
Abshire then also hit one before intermission, which began with Ignacio (6-6, 3-2 2A/1A SJBL, 3-1 2A SJBL) up 37-6.
All told, Kibel, Smith and sophomore Ashlynn Mikkelson each finished with four points for Dolores (3-8, 0-2, 0-1). Abshire logged two and sophomore reserve Kylie Burt one.
Olguin returned from the bench to bury three treys and end up with a game-high 15 points. Sophomore Darlyn Mendoza-Lechuga (13 points, nine in the third quarter) and junior Harmony Reynolds (12 points) joined her in double figures. Cruz registered seven points and Nanaeto, six.
Up next, the Lady Bears will travel Feb. 9, to IHS Gymnasium for a 5:30 p.m. rematch.
