BASKETBALL: Apaches break open tie game, claim 70-62 road win

The Gonzales Apaches broke open a tie 24-24 game with a 22-11 third period and then kept the St. Anthony Yellowjackets at arm’s length in the final quarter to take a 70-62 road win in San Antonio Friday, Dec. 17.

The Apaches were able to run their record to 9-3 overall despite having three players — Jacob Bakken, Jeremiah Hastings and Angel Martinez — foul out during a game which saw the two sides combine for 46 personal fouls, with 30 of those coming in the second half. One St. Anthony’s player fouled out as well.

The Yellowjackets actually got the early lead, 9-7, after one period of play thanks to a rowdy crowd and a physical style of play that had the Apaches off their game to start. However, Gonzales started to heat things up in the second period — especially top scorers Martinez and Aguayo, who combined for 15 of the Apaches’ 17 points in that quarter.

The visitors went on a 14-4 run to take a 21-13 lead before the hosts went on an 11-3 run of their own to tie the game at 24-24 at the break.

The two squads briefly exchanged leads in the third and, with the Yellowjackets up 29-28, Gonzales went on a 10-1 run to take a 38-30 advantage. St. Anthony would cut the lead to 40-35 before the Apaches closed out the period with a 6-0 run that made it 46-35. Martinez scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the third period.

In the fourth and final period, every time St. Anthony would try to close the gap, Gonzales would pad their cushion back. Gonzales took a 12-point lead at 54-42 and the Yellowjackets scored six unanswered points to make it 54-48. The Apaches used a 7-2 run to make it 61-50.

A 10-5 St. Anthony run cut the lead to the closest they would get again at 65-60, but Gonzales then went on a 5-2 run to make it 70-62 at the buzzer.

In addition to Martinez’ 23 points, Aguayo had 22 points for the Apaches, while Bakken and Brady Barfield each scored seven. T.J. Riojas had six points, all in the fourth period, while Hastings had three and Alex Escobedo had two.

The Apaches are off until the Schulenburg tournament on Dec. 27-28 and then they will play Sealy on the road Jan. 4.