BASKETBALL: Apaches save best for final period, win 58-56

When the pressure was on in the fourth period, the Gonzales Apaches turned up the pressure on Eagle Pass and it lifted them to a 58-56 come-from-behind home win Tuesday, Dec. 7.

Gonzales jumped out to an early 4-2 lead and held a 6-5 advantage early, but the Eagles started lighting up the nets from the three-point line and used that to take a 16-12 lead at the end of the first period.

The two teams both kicked their transition games into gear in the second period, but while the Eagles were hitting their outside shots, Gonzales was having a little more trouble on the perimeter. That difference helped Eagle Pass increase their lead to 35-29 at the break.

In the third period, the Apaches went on a 11-4 run to take a 40-39 lead with 4:16 left in the third quarter, thanks to fast break points by Angel Martinez, Jeremiah Hastings and Xavier Aguayo. However, the Eagles would score the next six points, including a pair of free throws after a technical foul on Martinez, to take a 45-40 lead at the end of the third period.

That set up a thrilling fourth period which saw the lead change several times. Gonzales went on a 7-0 run to claim a 47-45 lead with 5:45 left in the period. Eagle Pass would reclaim the lead at 49-47 and then Gonzales tied it at 53-53 with 1:48 left in the game. A drive by Aguayo for a bucket put the Apaches up 55-53 with 1:01 left. A converted free throw and another basket made it 58-53.

Eagle Pass hit a late three-pointer with 23 seconds left to narrow the lead to 58-56, but Gonzales was able to thwart any further comeback to cap off an incredible win. In the fourth period, the Apaches outscored the Eagles, 18-11.

Hastings led Gonzales with 16 points, while Aguayo had 15 and Martinez had 11. The win moves Gonzales’ record to 6-3. They next take on Karnes City at home at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.