Gallup ups winning streak, beats 5A Farmington

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

FARMINGTON – The Gallup Lady Bengals extended their winning streak to 14 games on Tuesday night with a dominating 64-51 win over the 5A Farmington Lady Scorpions.

Senior post Rylie Whitehair, who stands at 6-foot-1, led the top-ranked 4A Bengals with an impressive 30 points. For much of the contest, Gallup maintained control despite a third-quarter rally by Farmington that brought the Scorpions within six points.

Gallup’s relentless full-court press proved pivotal, limiting Farmington’s junior guard Kjani Anitielu to 14 points, as she scored in only two quarters, the first and fourth.

Gallup guards junior Natalie Dixon, sophomore Mykeia Vicenti, sophomore Marie Nez, and senior Alysha Slinkey played stellar defense, disrupting Farmington’s offensive flow.

Whitehair and sophomore forward Kayden Tsosie were dominant in the paint, preventing second-chance points while also stepping out to hit key 3-pointers.

Gallup entered the game outscoring opponents by an average of 34 points in their 13 previous wins. Just like in its previous games, their balance scoring and defensive intensity carried them to victory.

Both teams came out firing in the first quarter. Anitielu scored six points for Farmington, hitting two 3-pointers, but after that she was held in check until the final quarter.

Slinkey led Gallup with five points, including a 3-pointer, while five other players contributed at least three points each. Gallup ended the quarter with a 20-13 lead.

Farmington started the second quarter with a quick 5-0 run, narrowing the gap to 20-18 with 5:48 remaining. However, Gallup responded behind the offensive prowess of Whitehair and Tsosie. The two post combined for 14 of the Lady Bengals’ 16 points in the quarter. Both players scored seven points each, extending Gallup’s lead to 36-24 at halftime.

Farmington’s Caris Dale tried to keep her team in the game with two 3-pointers, leading the Lady Scorpions with six points in the quarter. Chenoa Parrish added another trey, but Gallup outscored Farmington 16-11 to maintain control.

Farmington made a late push in the third quarter, outscoring Gallup 10-8 and pulling within six points. Dale led the charge with four points, while three teammates chipped in two points each. However, missed opportunities at the free-throw line (1-of-5) hindered Farmington’s progress.

For Gallup, Whitehair continued to lead with four points, while Summer Joe and Dixon added two points each. The Lady Bengals held onto a 44-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Farmington tried to play catch-up in the final quarter, but Gallup’s defense and Whitehair’s scoring kept the Lady Scorps at bay. Whitehair exploded for 15 points in the fourth, which countered every mini run by Farmington.

Anitielu finally broke her scoring drought, contributing eight points in the quarter, while Dale added six more for Farmington. Despite their efforts, Gallup outscored Farmington 20-17 in the final frame, securing the win.

Gallup head coach Todd McBroom credited the team’s full-court press for the victory.

“We pressed the whole game. What didn’t work (for Farmington) tonight was I felt it took them out of rhythm,” McBroom said. “It didn’t allow [Anitielu] to bring the ball and do what she wanted, so she had to use her teammates. Outside of three kids, they struggled to score. If you make them pass to other players, it affects them.”

McBroom also praised his team’s determination.

“The effort this group of girls gives is better than any team I’ve ever coached,” he said. “The team that plays with more effort is usually the one that wins.”

Farmington head coach Thomas Adair addressed Anitielu’s performance as she faced multiple Gallup defenders throughout the night.

“Some of her shots fell early, but I kept her in because she’s my best player, regardless of whether she was scoring for a better part of the game.”

Gallup will close out the rest of the week hosting Belen (7-9) on Thursday and Grants on Saturday. Next week, the Bengals entertains crosstown rival Miyamura on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Farmington, meanwhile, faces a significant challenge as they travel to play New Mexico’s top-ranked 5A squad in Hobbs on Friday night. The Scorpions faced Hobbs in December, suffering an 85-16 loss.

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