Vaqueros Move Into First Place

Irvine ended its mini-lapse Thursday night--barely.

The 10th-ranked Vaqueros, who started the season 14-0 and then endured a 2-3 stretch in which both victories came against teams with losing records, pulled out a 58-53 victory over feisty Woodbridge at Irvine to move into first place in the Sea View League.

The Vaqueros (17-3, 3-0) appeared back on track to accomplish their goal: draping a league championship banner on the gym wall for the first time in school history.

“We’re going to do it,” Irvine Coach Dennis Hurley said. “That’s a huge motivation for this team.”

Forward Kristin Thawley led the Vaqueros with 25 points and 10 rebounds. She also finished off the Warriors (12-8, 3-1) with a basket under the rim with nine seconds left in the game.

Guard Staci Morita and center Jody Carlson each scored 12 points for the Vaqueros.

Woodbridge put together a valiant comeback in the fourth quarter, with two three-pointers each by Natalie Quinn (11 points) and Lindsay Yocum (nine).

Quinn’s second three-pointer of the quarter pulled the Warriors to within 55-50 with 28 seconds to play, but Morita hit a free throw and Irvine guard Nikki Kamada made a steal and fed Thawley for the Vaqueros’ final points.

A big part of Irvine’s victory was its ability to hit free throws; the Vaqueros converted 22 of 29 (76%).

Woodbridge, which trailed, 26-23, at halftime, was led by forward Bryn Riley’s 15 points. Reserve forward Lara Gray had nine points and nine rebounds.

Warrior Coach Eric Bangs was pleased with his team’s effort--but not its defense.

“We gave up 58 points,” Bangs said. “We average giving up 38, 39, so I’m not happy.”

In another league game:

Aliso Niguel 55, Newport Harbor 22--Nikia Hastie scored 26 points and made six steals and Julia Pederson had 14 points, seven steals and five blocks to lead host Aliso Niguel (11-8, 1-2).