MiraCosta Spartans Edge Past Rio Hondo in a 70-61 Victory

Oceanside, CA – December 4, 2024
The MiraCosta Women's Basketball Team secured a gritty 70-61 victory over Rio Hondo in an intense matchup on their home court. The Spartans showcased their resilience and teamwork, holding off multiple runs by Rio Hondo to close out the win.

First Half: Establishing the Lead

MiraCosta took control early, building a six-point lead by the end of the first quarter (19-13).

• Faith Behrendt and Reina Alamillo dominated the boards, grabbing crucial rebounds that limited Rio Hondo's scoring opportunities.
• Samantha Mowrey chipped in with her defensive efforts, creating turnovers and sparking fast-break opportunities.

The Spartans' defense held strong through the second quarter, allowing MiraCosta to take a 31-26 lead into halftime.

Second Half: Teamwork Secures the Win

Despite a strong push by Rio Hondo in the third quarter, MiraCosta leaned on their depth and determination to hold onto their advantage:

• Shayla Love hit key free throws in crunch time, finishing with 12 points, including 6 from the line.
• Le Aundra Walker-Brown contributed with timely assists and solid defensive play to keep Rio Hondo at bay.
• Emily Parra added energy off the bench, securing rebounds and forcing turnovers.

MiraCosta maintained their composure through the fourth quarter, finishing strong to seal the victory.

Defensive Intensity

The Spartans' defense was instrumental in the win, as they out-rebounded Rio Hondo and forced turnovers at key moments:

• Rebounding Battle: MiraCosta grabbed 42 rebounds compared to Rio Hondo's 33, including 12 offensive boards that led to second-chance points.
• Turnovers Forced: The Spartans' pressure defense created 16 turnovers, which they converted into fast-break points.

Game Stats at a Glance

• Field Goal Percentage: 48.5% (MiraCosta) vs. 34.3% (Rio Hondo)
• 3-Point Percentage: 30.4% (MiraCosta) vs. 27.3% (Rio Hondo)
• Free Throw Percentage: 80.0% (MiraCosta) vs. 42.9% (Rio Hondo)
• Rebounds: 42 (MiraCosta) vs. 33 (Rio Hondo)
• Assists: 17 (MiraCosta)
• Turnovers: 16 (Rio Hondo)

Player of the Game

Reina Alamillo (33) – Alamillo delivered a standout performance, finishing with a team-high 12 rebounds and playing a crucial role in limiting Rio Hondo's second-chance opportunities. Her presence in the paint made a significant difference on both ends of the court.

Looking Ahead

With another hard-fought win under their belt, the Spartans are gaining momentum as they head into conference play. Their balanced attack and defensive discipline make MiraCosta a tough opponent for any team.

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