HARLINGEN — Ever since the Harlingen Lady Cardinals lost their district opener, a fire was ignited in the girls and hasn’t dimmed a bit.
Harlingen had been on a five-game winning streak and was able to push their streak to six with a 59-47 victory over San Benito on Friday.
San Benito’s top performers, EmileeBarraza and Haley Lopez, sustained injuries in the beginning minutes of the game that left them sidelined until the second quarter.
With that being said, the Lady Cardinals didn’t allow the Lady Hounds to score a basket until four minutes into play and held San Benito to just five points at the end of the first quarter.
Although the Lady Greyhounds were without their premiere players, they were able to pick up the slack and come within eight points at 26-18 before the half.
Harlingen’s Nadia Flores had the hot hand for the Lady Cardinals, sneaking by the Lady Greyhounds’ full-court press to score 10 of the team’s 14 points in the third quarter. She finished the game with 20 points.
“That’s one thing we always practiced as to how we would break a press if we were ever confronted with one,” said Harlingen coach Ashley Moncivaiz. “We were able to push the ball well and they left the back open, which gave Nadia some good looks.”
Despite Flores’ efforts, Harlingen only led San Benito by five points once the third quarter came to a finish.
Harlingen didn’t let up though as the Lady Cards began the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run and maintained their lead all the way through to assure them the victory in the end.
Flores had a monstrous fourth quarter, racking up four rebounds, two steals and pitched in eight points of her own as well.
“It feels good to help my team out as much as I can, and to get everyone else involved as well,” said Flores.
Teammates Ariel Leal and Alyssa Cervantes combined for 20 points in the Lady Cardinals win.
Harlingen faces crosstown rival Harlingen South at 6 pm on Tuesday at the Lady Hawks gymnasium.
