By Moses Leos III.
A three-minute fourth quarter meltdown proved to be the final moment in the Hays Lady Rebel basketball team’s 2014 campaign.
For the second straight year, San Antonio Brackenridge ousted the Lady Rebels in the bi-district round, defeating Hays 55-49 at the Cougar Den in New Braunfels on Tuesday.
After ending the first in a 12-12 tie, the Lady Rebels rallied to take a slim 25-24 lead into halftime.
Aggressive play predicated the Rebel rally, particularly on the glass. Hays outrebounded Brack 33-19.
“We made big plays,” head coach Danny Preuss said. “[We were] making layups, making shots when we needed to.”
While the contest remained close, Hays closed the quarter with a 7-0 run, taking a 44-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Leading the charge were seniors Jill Borreson and Jordyne Dugger, who led the team with 14 points each. They combined for 13 of Hays’ 19 points in the quarter.
“We had a lot of height on the inside, and (we) had to get the ball [in the paint],” junior Alexis Delgado said.
Hays lead began to fade in the fourth, with missed shots, free throws and turnovers fueling the meltdown.
The Lady Eagles capitalized, aided by sophomore Skyler Reyna, who finished with a game-high 20 points.
With Hays leading 48-45 in the final three minutes, Brack closed the game on a 10-1 run, en route to the win.
Hays finished the season with a 24-11 record.
