Beginning Tuesday evening’s contest with a 3-pointer, then sinking two more before halftime, Monte Vista senior Zariah Archuleta put the Lady Pirates on course to victory in Bayfield, 44-22.
The Lady Wolverines fell to 2-3 overall, while Monte Vista improved to 5-1.
Assisted by junior Angeleah Mora, senior Alycia Espinosa cashed a triple from the corner late in the second quarter, increasing the guests’ 9-3 first quarter lead to an imposing 23-8 at intermission.
Despite senior Genesis Barrera’s five third-quarter points, Renae Foutz and Madison Mead were hampered by foul trouble and lessened Barrera’s effectiveness. MVHS sailed into the final frame up 35-15.
The Lady Wolverines caught a break early in the fourth, when Espinosa fouled out with 7:49 left in regulation. With 5:03 to go, second-year coach Shawna Larson’s squad lost a key frontcourt player when senior Stephanie Lopez picked up her fourth personal foul trying defend Foutz, then a technical foul – essentially her disqualifying fifth personal – for an apparent verbal reply.
However, Foutz made just one of the four resulting free throws, and Monte Vista enjoyed winning by a hefty margin.
Foutz and Barrera scored nine and eight points, respectively, for Bayfield, which lacked reserves Lily Muir and Arriyanna Cundiff.
Archuleta and sophomore Heysenny Beltran each finished with nine points for Monte Vista.
