Robertson defeats Tucumcari

Perennial Class 3A contender Robertson blew open a close game Friday against Tucumcari by scoring 27 unanswered points in the third quarter during a 59-32 Lady Cardinals basketball victory at the Snake Pit.

Robertson guard Azlyn Padilla led her team's charge by scoring 10 of her game-high 22 points during the period. The Lady Cardinals improved to 6-0 overall.

Caylee Benavidez scored 12 points to lead Tucumcari (2-3) during its home opener, and teammate Haisley Huffman added eight points.

The Lady Rattlers played without point guard, captain and leading scorer Alexus Lafferty, who became ill earlier in the day. Whether her illness was COVID-19 had not been confirmed.

"We told her to sit out, make sure it's nothing serious and make sure it doesn't spread throughout the entire team," Tucumcari coach Patrick Benavidez said. "We'll see how she is on Monday."

In the first half, Tucumcari struggled offensively against Robertson's press defense and didn't score a field goal until Kyla Samaniego's 15-footer with 7:27 left in the second quarter.

However, the Lady Rattlers stayed in the game by stifling the Lady Cardinals' offense with a stout halfcourt defense. After spotting Robertson an 11-1 lead, Tucumcari rallied behind 3-pointers by Caylee Benavidez and Huffman and getting a few Robertson players in foul trouble. The Lady Rattlers trailed just 22-16 by intermission.

"We had a good game plan; we came out hustling on defense, making sure we hustled back on defense and not give up the easy transition points," coach Benavidez said. "We also tried not to turn over the ball in the middle of the floor. We had to use every player on our bench today. Everyone that went in didn't skip a beat and picked up for whoever they filled in for."

"We couldn't get the flow of the game going," Robertson coach Carlos Medina said of the first half. "We missed a lot of easy shots, missed a lot of free throws. We'd steal a pass and miss the easy layup. And Tucumcari did a good job keeping it close in the first half."

Medina said he switched up a few players after halftime to get his team a jolt. After Izabela Reid opened the third quarter with a rebound basket to cut Robertson's lead to 22-18, the Lady Cardinals embarked on their 27-0 run.

"We put in some new personnel and played with some energy and made things happen for our team," Medina said. "We got some steals, hit some threes and were able to open up the lead and keep up the defensive intensity throughout most of the second half. We also rebounded better to get possession of the ball and give ourselves some opportunities on offense."

Robertson sank three 3-point shots during its decisive run, including two by Padilla. By the end of the third period, the Lady Cardinals led 49-18.

"They did a little high-low on us," coach Benavidez said. "She started putting in the baskets, and we got a little bit tired and couldn't get out there and pressure the ball no more.

"But I saw a lot of good things out of our girls. I'm super-happy with the way they performed against what probably will be the No. 1 team when the rankings come out," he added.

Both teams had a bad night at the free-throw line. Tucumcari went 6-for-22 at the foul line, and Robertson went 15-for-35.

Texico 51, Tucumcari 43

Texico hit consecutive 3-point shots in the second half to help lift its team to a 51-43 victory Dec. 7 over visiting Tucumcari.

The Lady Rattlers trailed by as many as 15 points before rallying.

"We came out a little bit slow and got into a lot of foul trouble," Benavidez said. "We couldn't get shots to fall in the first half. But we picked it up on the defensive end and just kept on battling, and we ended up tying it with about four minutes left."

Cate Breshears scored 12 of her 19 points in the second half for Texico, which improved to 1-1.

Lafferty scored 19 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead Tucumcari. July Lafferty added nine points.