Olvera leads way with double-double in 58-52 win.
GILROY – In a long and exhausting game Tuesday night, the Lady Mustang hoopsters rose to the occasion with a hard-fought 58-52 win over Silver Creek.
The Lady Mustangs (3-1) were led by senior forward Jen Olvera’s double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“We started strong,” Olvera said. “We had a lead then we started to blow it. But all in all we played very well. This year, we are going to have strengths and weaknesses. We are just going to have to overcome that like we did tonight.”
Gilroy started out fast with 10 points from point guard Sarah Miller all coming in the first quarter before she was sidelined with foul trouble for the rest of the game. Senior guard Laura Hennessee led the team with four assists – including some tight, pressure defense.
The Lady Mustangs led throughout the game – but could not pull away from a tough Silver Creek squad – which clawed their way back with team defense.
In the first quarter, Olvera started the scoring off with quick lay-up – but Silver Creek answered back. In the second quarter, the Lady Mustangs went on a 7-0 run anchored by senior Danell Dow’s hot shooting. Dow finished with13 points in all. Silver Creek, however, countered with a good run of their own.
In the third and fourth quarters, Gilroy kept stretching its lead until they were up by seven with 30 seconds left.
“We played well. We did lots of good things and played very hard,” first-year head coach Kari Williams said. “I thought our ‘D’ was good and the execution was good as well.
“We don’t have any goals right now, but they did make it to the playoffs last year and I am sure they want to go again.”
The playoff quest continues with Thursday’s home game against Andrew Hill at 7 p.m.
