MISSION — Edinburg North junior Samantha Aguilar scored her team’s final five points during overtime, as the Cougars stunned the Diamondback 43-40 in their regular-season opener Monday at the Sharyland Pioneer High School Gymnasium.
With less than 25 seconds left during overtime, Edinburg North junior Jayli Rivera grabbed a defensive rebound, taking the ball coast-to-coast before dumping it off to Aguilar for the go-ahead bucket.
Aguilar sealed the victory moments later, nailing a pair of free throws with 6.8 seconds left to help the Cougars upset the Diamondbacks, who opened the season ranked No. 17 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Preseason Poll.
Aguilar finished the contest with a team-high 13 points, while Rivera chipped in eight points and the game-winning assist.
The Diamondbacks were shorthanded for Monday’s contest, missing seniors Jordan Bravo and Natalie Reyes, who are a part of the Diamondbacks’ volleyball team that will be competing in the regional quarterfinals tonight. Reyes was honored prior to the game for reaching over 3,000 assists in her volleyball career.
With the pair out, center Soleil Ashley stepped up offensively for the Diamondbacks, netting a game-high 14 points during the loss.
The Diamondbacks (0-1, 0-0) return to action Thursday, traveling to participate in the Corpus Christi Varsity Tournament with their opponent and tip-off yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the Cougars (1-0, 0-0) host the La Feria Lions in a non-district contest Tuesday at the Edinburg North High School gymnasium.