Gallup defeats Winslow for 1st tourney win in 5 years

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Dec 11, 2014 | Basketball |

GALLUP

For the first time in five years, the Gallup Lady Bengals are queens of their own tournament.

Gallup’s Ni’asia McIntosh (34) drives around Kaelyn Bitsoi of Winslow during first period action of John Lomasney championship game at Gallup High School on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Lady Bengals won the tournament. (Times photo – Paul Natonabah)

Gallup’s girls’ basketball team won the title game in the 40th annual John Lomasney Tournament, 87-66, over Winslow.

Gallup head coach Kamau Turner said the Lady Bengals had their eye on keeping the title at home.

“It told these guys we got a chance to win it. Let’s win it,” he said. “I tell them every year. So I’m glad we won it.”

The last time the Lady Bengals won their tournament was when Turner took over the program in 2009.

It was not an easy task five years ago just as it was last weekend.

Gallup looked promising as they started the game. After allowing Winslow four points in the first quarter, the Lady Bengals went on a 16-0 run that would be the first of many throughout the game. They led 23-4 before Winslow scored again.

With less than three minutes left in the first period, Winslow went on an 8-point run to close the gap, leaving Gallup up 23-12.

At the end of the first quarter Gallup led 29-17.

In the second quarter, Winslow came close to bringing it down from double figures when Winslow’s Michaela Bia put up a 3-point shot, leaving the Lady Bulldogs to trail by just 10 points, 46-36.

Gallup led 51-38 at the half.

Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan said they knew what to expect from Gallup.

“They came out and got on us early,” he said. “We knew their press was going to be tough. But I’m proud of my kids. This is a younger team. I lost starters from last year, they handled themselves well.”