By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — The Brownsville Pace Lady Vikings pulled off an important 35-33 victory against the Mercedes Lady Tigers in a District 32-5A match Tuesday.
“Well, it was down to the wire. I am proud we made some shots and got some stops defensively,” Pace coach Eddie Lozano said. “I am just really proud.
“They got their win in their house, and we got our win at home. We are right there in (the) thick of it. We are tied with them for third, and hopefully we get the win on Friday,” he continued.
The Lady Vikings (13-16, 4-4) got big points late from forwards Ariel Barrientes and a couple of huge blocks from forward Ashley Gonzalez. Their effort down the stretch was pivotal in gaining and maintaining the lead.
Mercedes (16-14, 4-4) had a chance to tie the game with seconds left but could not convert two really good opportunities.
“We have had better games,” Mercedes coach David Gonzales said. “It was tough getting anything inside because (Gonzalez) was blocking most of our shots. We had a chance at the end. We played hard.”
Both teams went back and forth from the start. Pace took a 10-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Lady Tigers guard Danielle Barroso gave her team a lead during the second quarter, hitting five straight points, including one from deep. Mercedes went into the half up 14-13.
The Lady Vikings and Lady Tigers continued their battle during the third quarter. Gonzalez’s shot from downtown tied the game at 16, but Barroso responded on the next possession.
Pace guard Cynthia Garcia tied the game with a triple of her own on the next possession. Mercedes sophomore Leah Adame got involved often in the quarter, scoring six points during the frame. Adame gave Mercedes a 21-19 lead.
More 3-pointers in the quarter from Pace’s Jocelyn Hernandez and Gonzalez gave them a 26-24 lead going into the fourth quarter.
“I feel really good,” Gonzalez said. “The blocks and points helped us out a lot down low. We feel really confident right now. We have the talent and potential. We just got to keep fighting.”