Gallup dominates Artesia to open 4A state playoffs

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

GALLUP — The Gallup Lady Bengals (27-2) wasted no time asserting their dominance in the opening round of the New Mexico 4A girls state playoffs, steamrolling the Artesia Lady Bulldogs (10-17) with a decisive 71-35 victory at Gallup High School on Friday night.

After a week of preparation, Gallup carried its momentum from the previous win into its home gym, executing efficiently on both ends of the court.

“I think we had an excellent week of practice, and it carried into the game,” Gallup head coach Todd McBroom said. “I think we’re peaking at the right time.”

Junior Natalie Dixon led the Bengals with 16 points, sinking four 3-pointers and two field goals in three quarters. She was backed by sophomore Payton Johnson with 13 points and senior center Rylie Whitehair with 12. In total, four Bengals finished in double figures.

Gallup wasted no time setting the tone, racing out to a 6-0 lead in the first 30 seconds. The Bengals unleashed a relentless offensive attack, pouring in 36 first-quarter points, including six 3-pointers.

Johnson paced the early scoring with 11 points, followed by sophomore Kayden Tsosie with seven, Whitehair and Dixon with six each, and sophomore Mykeia Vicenti adding four.

Artesia junior guard Kailee Padilla kept her team afloat with seven points, while three teammates added a field goal apiece. By the end of the first quarter, Gallup was firmly in control, 36-13.

The Bengals continued their dominance in the second quarter, outscoring Artesia 17-11. Vicenti led with seven points, Dixon added four, and three others contributed a field goal each. Padilla again led the Bulldogs with four points, but Artesia struggled to keep pace as Gallup entered halftime up 53-24.

Gallup’s defensive intensity ramped up in the third quarter, holding Artesia to just three points while adding 14 of their own. Dixon and Whitehair each scored six points, and Johnson added a field goal. For the Bulldogs, Padilla managed a two-point basket, while a teammate converted one of two free throws. By the end of the period, Gallup’s lead had ballooned to 67-27.

With the outcome no longer in doubt, the Bengals eased off in the final quarter, allowing Artesia to outscore them 8-4. Junior guard Ashton Craft led the Bulldogs with four points, while two teammates added two points each.

For Gallup, sophomore Laylanah Williams and junior Summer Joe combined for four points as the Bengals closed out the 71-35 rout.

Dixon’s performance off the bench stood out for Gallup.

“I thought she came off the bench and shot the ball really well,” McBroom said. “It’s everything we expect out of Natalie, and she’s becoming more consistent as the year’s gone on. We’re really happy with her progression.”

With the win, Gallup advances to the second round where the Bengals will face No. 7 seed Deming at The Pit in Albuquerque on Tuesday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.

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