Providence girls’ basketball’s big lead doesn’t hold up against Paraclete

BURBANK — Despite playing without a trio of players, all seemed well for the Providence High girls’ basketball team late in the third quarter, as its 13-point lead was greater than the amount of points it had relinquished.

But then the turnovers came and the shots failed to fall against Paraclete, which began its massive comeback.

The Pioneers committed 29 turnovers and scored just three fourth-quarter points in a 35-29 defeat to the visiting Spirits in Thursday’s nonleague game.

“I thought we played well defensively in the first half,” said Providence Coach Andrew Bencze, whose team is ranked No. 9 in CIF Southern Section Division IV-A. “I thought Paraclete did a real good job of switching up its defense in the second half and we got fatigued and that led to a lot of the turnovers.

“We just didn’t adjust to the change and we became tentative with the ball. It snowballed. You give up extra possessions, extra shots and extra points and it’s going to be tough.”

Providence (5-5), which split the Liberty League championship last season, held a 24-11 lead late in the third quarter before Paraclete (5-5) began its comeback. Providence, which competed without Francesca Maraville, Giselle Camonayan and Rose Escolano because of illness, didn’t make a shot from the floor in the final 10 minutes, 42 seconds.

Providence guard Ariel Gordillo, who finished with a team-high 10 points and four steals, said the Pioneers couldn’t get on track offensively in the second half.

“We had some chances, but Paraclete did a very good job on defense,” said Gordillo, who accounted for all three of Providence’s fourth-quarter points via free throws. “They did a good job at rushing us when we had the ball.

“We’ll just look for more ways to improve. We’ll work together and prepare for league [in January].”

Paraclete, which committed 40 turnovers, recovered from its sluggish start and took control in the second half.

After Providence’s Keara Garcia made a three-pointer from the left side to give the Pioneers a 24-11 lead with 2:42 left in the third quarter, Paraclete responded by closing out the quarter on a 10-2 run to pull to within 26-21.

The Spirits tied it at 26 on a basket by London Scott with 4:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. Scott finished the contest with 13 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Gordillo then made three of four free-throw attempts in a 23-second span just past the midway point in the quarter to give Providence a 29-26 lead.

A steal and layup by Brooke Link gave the Spirits a 30-29 lead with 2:47 to go. Aspen Frye of Paraclete then made one of two free throws with a minute left to make it 32-29.

Providence’s Christina Galstjan had a steal and layup to give the Pioneers a 17-9 lead with 1:30 left in the second quarter that they carried into halftime.

The Pioneers got six points and seven rebounds from Galstjan and four points each from Christina Kurkjian and Mary Cruz.

Paraclete received six points and three steals from Frye and six points from Payton Anthony.

Providence will compete in the three-day Tri-City Christian Tournament in Carlsbad, which begins Tuesday, before returning home to face cross-town rival Bellarmine-Jefferson at home Jan. 7.