DiFiore sinks go-ahead hoop in final second of 60-59 win over
Newark
BURLINGAME – Forward Michelle DiFiore was money from the field when it counted most as the junior sank a 12-foot jump shot in the final second to lift the Lady Mustang hoopsters to a 60-59 victory over Newark Memorial, of the East Bay.
“It was really exciting, a good win for the program and a good win for the team,” said second-year head coach Kari Williams, whose squad will play Santa Cruz on Thursday night in the second round of the Burlingame Tournament.
With nine seconds left and Gilroy trailing by one point, the final shot was supposed to be taken by either senior center Sarah Hoeft or sophomore point guard Kristen Campos. But when Hoeft forced a triple-team, she dished off to DiFiore, whose game-winning shot went through the bucket as time expired.
“It was a tremendous team effort,” Williams said. “We are finally making our shots and when the pressure was on, we took care of business and got it done.”
DiFiore finished with seven points, none more important than the buzzer beater, while junior forward Kendall Costa put up a team-high 18 points and Hoeft added 15 points in only one half of work.
“Hoeft was back for us and she did a great job,” said Williams of her captain who played her first game since battling lower back and hamstring injuries.
Campos tallied nine points, including a tempo-setting trey early on.
“She did a great job taking care of the ball for us and setting up the offense,” said Williams of Campos.
Senior forward Antionette Okere netted five points, including a three-point play; sophomore forward Catherine Hussey finished with three points; sophomore guard Marissa Nowakowski scored four points; and junior forward Amanda Link, called up from the junior varsity, hit a pair of free throws.
