The undefeated Gallup Bengals started the District Championship game against Farmington with a 10-0 run, then had to go to work as the pesky Scorpions refused to roll over and play dead for the rest of the game. Gallup sort of toyed with Farmington in the first quarter as they finished those eight minutes with a 23-15 lead.
The second quarter got serious. A bad pass by Gallup resulted in two Farmington points, then a missed field goal and a foul gave the Scorps two more points, making it 23-19. Another missed shot and another foul brought Farmington to the line again, where they made the front end of the one-and-one, then snagged the rebound for a chance at more. Only a walk by the Scorpions saved Gallup for a few seconds as they quickly threw the ball away inside.
Farmington was working the ball well, but the long arms of Ni’Asia McIntosh got the steal and Gallup was up by five again, 25-20.
The Scorpions took the lead with 1:29 remaining as they continued to best the Gallup defense, 30-29, but the Bengals got a three for a lead, though it didn’t hold up for long. Farmington scored for a tie at 32 and both teams sank a free throw with 39.9 seconds left for a knot at 33 before Gallup was able to use a field goal for two while holding the Scorpions to a mere free throw for a 35-34 lead at halftime.
The Gallup girls left their defensive heads in the locker room to start the third and trailed by as many as seven points at the 4:46 mark. Strong offense brought them back though and by the end of three, the score was 54-47, Bengals.
The fourth quarter was a wash, with both teams scoring 15 points and the first quarter gap in Gallup’s favor was the final difference in the game.
The win propels Gallup into the first round of the State Tournament, playing at home on Mar. 4 against St. Pius.
Story and photos
by Tom Hartsock
Sun Correspondent