Broncos overtake Liberty Hawks in tight game

by Deb Murphy
in News
— 15 Jan, 2015

The Bishop Bronco basketball team scored a brilliant win over the Liberty Hawks of Madera last Friday night on home court, hanging close to a talented team and grounding them in the final eight minutes of play for a nail-biting 76-71 win.

Behind by 6 at the start of that explosive fourth quarter, the Broncos shifted into high gear, hammering away to take a 64-59 lead before the Hawks got back on the scoreboard.

iver Mallory goes up for the tip-off against Liberty. Photo courtesy: Deb Murphy.

The Hawks narrowed the lead to 66-63, but Daniel Olsen added 3, one from the free throw line, Ryan Lent hit, and with just under two minutes left in the game, the Broncos had their biggest lead at 71-63.

Liberty wasn’t quite finished, but in the final minute of play, most of the points were scored from the foul line as both the Hawks and Broncos’ defenses put up a fight. Allen had the last laugh, from the line, to give Bishop the lead at 76-71. But there were still 9 seconds on the clock and Liberty had possession. The cry came up from the stands and the bench, “don’t foul.” Instead, Liberty turned the ball over to Bishop and the game was in the bag.

Bishop boys varsity added one more win, a 52-27 victory over the Tonopah Muckers Monday. The Broncos travel to Hanford High this Saturday, then the Bishop teams start High Desert League action against the Roadrunners at Rosamond, Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Bishop Bronco individual stats:

River Mallory: 8 pts., 2 rebs., 2 assists

Daniel Olsen: 8 pts., 2 rebs., 1 steal, 2 assists

Ryan Lent: 2 pts., 3 rebs., 2 steals, 6 assists

Jake Traynor: 4 pts., 1 reb.

Thomas Montoya: 26 pts., 2 rebs., 5 assists

Ty Tucker: 11 pts., 2 rebs., 2 steals, 5 assists

Druw Allen: 11 pts., 3 rebs., 2 assists

Sean Brown: 6 pts., 8 rebs., 1 assist

Bishop v Tonopah

River Mallory: 5 pts.

Daniel Olsen: 3 ps.

Ryan Lent: 8 pts.

Jake Traynor: 2 pts.

Anthony Miller: 4 pts.

Thomas Montoya: 9 pts.

Ty Tucker: 2 pts.

Druw Allen: 13 pts.

Sean Brown: 17 pts.

Meanwhile Bishop Lady Broncos lost a low-scoring squeaker against Strathmore Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 27-24, then demolished the Tonopah Muckers Monday, 51-19. Bishop is now 8-4 in pre-league action; up next, the Lady Roadrunners Jan. 20 in Rosamond.

Bishop v Strathmore stats:

Topah Scherer: 2 pts., 7 rebs., 1 assist, 2 steals

Sabrina Barlow: 3 pts., 5 rebs., 1 assist, 2 seals

Cienna Martinez: 1 pt., 5 rebs., 1 steal, 1 block

Little Eva Lent: 5 pts., 5 rebs., 4 steals, 5 blocks

Tamia Shoshone: 8 pts., 9 rebs., 1 assist, 4 steals, 1 block

Maria Jimenez: 5 pts., 1 assist

Bishop v Tonopah

Topah Scherer: 5 pts.,3 rebs., 1 steal

Miranda Barnes: 1 reb., 1 assist

Sabarina Barlow: 9 pts., 2 rebs., 3 assists

Cienna Martinez: 5 pts.