LOS FRESNOS — For the second time this season, the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons hung in there with the Harlingen Lady Cardinals but, once again, they couldn’t bring it home against what is arguably the Valley’s top team.
Leading by just two in a seesaw game, the Lady Cards finished on an 8-2 run over the final six minutes to upend the Lady Falcons 45-37 on Friday night in Los Fresnos.
The Lady Falcons had success throughout the night getting shots against the Harlingen press, but the Lady Red Birds turned up the heat, sparking their final run.
“I told the girls to be more aggressive and put more pressure and be more aggressive on defense,” said Harlingen head coach Ashley Moncivaiz. “Once we put some pressure on them, we got some steals and finished on the other end.”
In their first meeting, it was an 8-0 run by Harlingen (29-1, 11-0) that willed the Lady Cards to a 49-42 victory.
Harlingen post Nadia Flores, who started in place of the sidelined Addison Dickey (eye), led Friday’s late charge as she put in six of her team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Los Fresnos (19-12, 6-5), had success early getting in front of the Harlingen press, leading to some easy baskets and an early seven-point lead in the first half.
Unfortunately, as the game tightened, the Lady Falcons’ focus wavered.
“We didn’t play the ball well, we turned the ball over, we didn’t step up and run, box out and Harlingen got easy shots off of second-chance rebounds; when you let that stuff go by it’s tough to win games,” said Los Fresnos head coach Kim Edquist. “We sputtered, but that’s due to Harlingen’s defense.
Harlingen had a couple of runs on the night, but Los Fresnos kept them at bay.
The Lady Cards climbed back in the game in the second quarter with a 12-4 run to take their first lead since they led 2-0 after the game’s opening possession.
“Our intensity changed,” said Moncivaiz. “Once our girls picked up the intensity like they’re supposed to, it makes a difference when they attack the basket and help each other out.”
The rest of the quarter featured five lead changes, but the Lady Falcons went into the break up 26-25. They managed just 11 points and four field goals in the second half.
Pacing the Lady Cards’ offense was the steady scoring by Elvira Fraga, who followed Flores with 12 points.
Fraga left the game in the third quarter after hurting her left knee going to the ground. She walked off on her own power and was able to bend her knee as well as do some jogging on the sidelines. There is no word yet if the injury was serious.
Teammate Marissa Gasca scored 11 points, while Los Fresnos’ Dori Alcalde led her team with 10.
Friday’s win marked the Lady Cardinals’ 19th straight win. Their only loss of the season came on Nov. 21 against San Antonio Clark.