COLUSA, CA (MPG) – In last Friday night’s Sacramento Valley League matchup between the Colusa and East Nicolaus girls’ basketball teams, the number of fouls called exceeded the number of minutes played.
With a combined total of 52 fouls assessed and 48 free throws attempted it was difficult for either squad to find a rhythm, but despite a frantic push down the stretch, the RedHawks ended the game on the short end of the 50-47 score.
Down only a point after one period of play, Colusa had fallen behind by 10 at the half as the Spartans found success inside and capitalized on the opportunities afforded by two technical fouls charged to the RedHawks.
However, following intermission, East Nicolaus saw two of its starters relegated to the bench with four fouls allowing Colusa to pull within six heading into the final quarter.
Fouls continued to mount for the Spartans, who by the four-minute mark had those two players receive their fifth foul and had three others on the court with four, which seemingly played to Colusa’s advantage.
Yet, things didn’t go quite as planned for the RedHawks, when facing a three-point deficit with 39 seconds remaining, leading scorer Peyton Miller fouled out as well.
After a Spartan basket, Colusa came within two points as Marlie Berry hit two free throws, but East Nic was able to tack on one more point from the charity stripe.
Nevertheless, the RedHawks’ chance to tie with 17 seconds left on the clock ultimately fell short.
Miller, who is fifth in the Northern Section in scoring, led all players with 23 points, while Berry pitched in with nine.
Earlier in the week Colusa defeated Paradise 59-32 at home and lost 35-68 on the road in Durham although no other information was made available.
Currently fifth in the SVL, the RedHawks’ (9-14, 3-5) only game this week was Thursday, when they hosted Pierce.