The Española Valley boys basketball team overcame a five-point halftime deficit to the Gallup Bengals Nov. 21 to win its season-opener 72-60 on the road.
The Sundevils outscored Gallup 40-23 in the second half despite starters Luis Alvarado and Richie Mondragon fouling out in the fourth quarter.
“We got into foul trouble at the beginning of the game,” Española assistant coach Ray Romero said. “They were calling a lot of touch fouls that we weren’t used to.”
The Sundevils trailed 12-11 at the end of the first quarter. They were able to stay with the Bengals in the first half thanks to sophomore guard Rodney Coles and Mondragon, a junior small forward, according to Romero. Coles and Mondragon combined for 22 first-half points.
“At halftime, we told them to just use their feet on defense,” Romero said. “Don’t reach.”
In the third quarter, the Sundevils came back to take the lead, scoring 15 points to Gallup’s nine. With three minutes to go in the game and leading 63-60, Española went to a “twins offense” looking for lanes to the basket, according to Romero. The tactic worked and the Sundevils finished the game with a 9-0 run to take a 12-point victory.
“We kept our composure and hit key free throws down the stretch,” Romero said.
Coles led the Sundevils with 22 points on four three-pointers, while Alvarado and Mondragon each scored 12 points. Gabe Rodriguez had 11 points for Española.
Gallup’s Ryan Becenti led all scorers with 23 points.
“It was a typical first game,” Romero said. “We’re still learning each other’s roles.”
It was the second consecutive season the Sundevils opened the season with a win over the Bengals. Last year, the Sundevils defeated Gallup 66-58.
The Sundevils are tied for third in Class AAAA with Los Alamos in the New Mexico High School Coaches Association poll. Defending Class AAAA champion, Roswell, is ranked first and Albuquerque Academy is second. Española hosts Santa Fe High School Dec. 1 in its next game.