Another nailbiting victory
SOUTHEAST GLENDALE — Two-hour practices are normally more of a common occurrence for the Glendale and Burroughs high girls’ basketball teams.
Having the two squads compete in a two-hour contest, however, is another story in itself. For the first time this season, Glendale and Burroughs saw it become a reality with plenty of drama unfolding from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
Lidia Rivas scored six of her team-high 26 points in triple overtime to help Glendale post a 73-70 Pacific League home victory against Burroughs on Monday night.
Glendale (10-11, 3-7 in league) and Burroughs (11-12, 6-4) gave it their all throughout the two hours, exchanging jump shots and free throws throughout. The Nitros were able to maintain at least a glimmer of hope in their bid to remain in contention for a playoff berth with four games left. The Indians, on the other hand, have a bit more of a cushion.
“It was constant basketball with no time to rest,” said Glendale Coach Tania Adary, whose team picked up its third win in its last four games, all of them coming by two points. “I don’t know if we are tired right now, but I know that are bodies are drained.
“I was anticipating two or three players fouling out. We had one, and we were able to tough it out.”
Rivas, a senior forward, recorded a steal and layup to give Glendale a 68-64 lead with 1:16 left in the third overtime. The Nitros made three of their four foul shots in the final 30 seconds to help pick up a split in the two-game season series against the Indians.
Burroughs sent the game into a third overtime on a basket by senior forward Ashley Alexander, who collected 23 points and eight rebounds. However, the Nitros outscored the Indians, 13-10, in the final session.
“It was like a boxing match and both teams were tired,” said Burroughs Coach Vicky Oganyan, who got 26 points and 10 rebounds from sophomore forward Lisha Elsenbach. “We have four games left, so we know that every game is important.
“If we can get at least one more win, then we should be OK with one of the top four spots [in league to go to the playoffs]. I don’t care what spot.”
The Indians are tied with rival Burbank for third in league behind Muir and Crescenta Valley. The Nitros entered Monday’s game tied for fifth with Arcadia.
Elsenbach registered seven points in the third overtime.
Rivas said the Nitros encountered quite a battle with the Indians, who posted a 54-47 regulation home victory against Glendale on Jan. 12.
“We practice normally for two hours, but you can’t simulate a two-hour game to a two-hour practice,” said Rivas, who had 11 first-half points. “We knew coming in that it would be tough, and that we wanted to beat them at our house.”
Glendale got 18 points from senior forward Marlow Tomasian and 17 points, five assists and six steals from senior guard Anna Shahinian.
