Ontario girls split at tourney
Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:08 AM PST
Argus Observer Sports Staff
PENDLETON—The Ontario girls basketball team salvaged a split during a weekend tournament in Pendleton, with a 43-41 loss Friday to Pendleton, and a 50-31 blowout victory over Sandpoint, Id. Saturday.
Against Sandpoint, Jenny Yano scored 15 points, Kim Boyd added 10 and Kendra Babcock tallied two points to lead the Tigers.
Ontario jumped out and established control early on with a 15-7 run and outscored the Bulldogs 9-5 in the second quarter to take a 24-12 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, the Tigers came out like a house on fire with an 18-10 run and were comfortably ahead 42-22 heading into the final quarter.
Chris Babij added seven points, and teammates Crystal Lopez and Meghan Schram chipped in six points apiece.
On Friday however, controversy ruled the evening.
Down 43-41 with time running out, Boyd had a chance to tie the score and connected on a 4-foot bank shot at the buzzer, but a traveling violation was called.
Ontario head coach Jon Buck tried to argue the call, but said the officials quickly sprinted off the court.
Pendleton jumped out to an 11-3 lead after eight minutes of play, and the Tigers rebounded with a 13-2 spurt in the second quarter to lead 16-13 at halftime.
The Buckaroos put up an 18-13 spurt in the third quarter to lead 31-29 heading into the final stanza. On the night, Pendleton was held to 20 percent shooting from the field and committed several turnovers.
Buck was happy with the teams’ defense and said they are headed on the right path.
“The girls played well,” he said. “They showed were right in the ball park. Meghan Schram is playing such great defense for us. She leads that defense. Kim (Boyd) and Crystal (Lopez) lead up front for us on defense as well. That (Playing strong defense) is what you have to do to compete with the big teams. Hopefully we continue.”
Chris Babij led with 11 points and Boyd added nine for the Tigers, who hit 15 field goals, but went 9-of-20 from the free throw line.
Ontario (2-3 overall) travels to Vale Tuesday.
