Nitros can’t handle Dogs

PASADENA — The staggering number of second-chance points allowed told the story for the Glendale High girls’ basketball team.

The Nitros brushed off the size disadvantage excuse and instead pointed to getting outworked for rebounds as the biggest factor for extra possessions and for their 63-32 loss at the hands of the Pasadena Bulldogs on Monday night.

“We were just dead on both ends,” said Nitros Coach Tania Adary after falling to Pasadena for the second time this season. “Our offense was frozen and our defense was not here today.”

Glendale (11-9, 3-5) committed 14 turnovers in the first half and shot four for 23 before trying regroup at halftime, trailing, 29-13.

Stella Ghazarian scored nine of the team’s 11 points in the third, including two from behind the arc, but the Nitros couldn’t get an extended run going due to Pasadena’s length creating havoc.

Ghazarian’s second long ball brought the team to within 15 and within a slight hint of momentum, but Bulldogs guard Kristina Tatikian did her best Ghazarian imitation, scoring eight straight for Pasadena as the lead ballooned again.

Dominating the glass led to 15 second-chance points for the Bulldogs and an eye-popping 32 foul shots that they took full advantage of to the tune of 25 points coming from the line with the bulk coming in the third quarter where the team shot eight free throws as Glendale was in the penalty for most of the period.

“We weren’t there inside boxing out,” said Ghazarian, who finished with 10 points. “Size doesn’t matter in basketball, it’s about heart.”

Pasadena’s Dariel Johnson and Megan Rutherford let their height advantage be known as they doubled up to score 29 of the team’s 63 with Tatikian taking care of everything outside as she led the way with 14 points.

“We knew we could win the rebounding battle against them,” said Pasadena Coach Wesley Stewart, whose team is one game over .500 in Pacific League play at four wins and three losses. “It was just a matter of getting it done and I think we did that.”

It was a game to forget for the Nitros, who trailed throughout and only got as close as 15 down in the second half.

Ghazarian was the lone Nitro to score in double-figures.

The Nitros have now lost three of their last four.