Woodbridge snaps Irvine’s seven-game winning streak with league road victory

Woodbridge players celebrate after league victory over Irvine. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge’s girls basketball team used a strong second half to break open a close game and win going away over Irvine 42-28 in a Pacific Hills League game Wednesday evening at Irvine.

The Warriors (18-8, 3-2) avenged an early season loss to the Vaqueros, dealt Irvine its first league loss and snapped Irvine’s seven-game winning streak.

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“The first time we played Irvine, I think they made something like six 3-pointers, so our main goal tonight was to take away their 3-point shooting,” said Woodbridge Coach Keith Clarkson, whose team held the Vaqueros to two 3-pointers. “We typically play a man-to-man defense, but we worked hard on our zone defense, and it paid off in the second half as they weren’t able to get good looks.”

Woodbridge junior forward Lilliana Motley scored 14 points and freshman forward Eva Motley added 12 points to lead the Warriors putting them in good position for the playoffs with one regular season game to play.

The Warriors will host Northwood on Friday.

Irvine (13-10, 4-1) finishes the regular season on the road against winless University. Only two teams earn an automatic playoff bid in the four-team Pacific Hills League.

“It looks like Irivne will be the league champions, so we want to control our destiny and finish second so every win will help our rankings,” said Eva Motley.

Leading 22-20 at halftime, the Warriors, led by the Motley’s, went on a 10-2 run to start the third quarter and changed the tide of the game. Lilliana Motley stole the ball near midcourt and drove in for a layup, giving Woodbridge a 30-20 lead with 2:52 left in the quarter. The Warriors led 32-22 after three periods.

Woodbridge’s defense stiffened in the second half as the Vaqueros struggled to get good looks. Da’Mani Walker, Amit Krispin, Madeleine Momdjian, and Trisha Anthony played major roles in denying Irvine shots and in multiple possessions held the Vaqueros to one shot on offense. Walker, Krispin, and Eva Motley used their size advantage to dominate the boards.   

“This is a crucial win for us in our drive to the playoffs,” said Lilliana Motley. “We didn’t turn the ball very much over in the second half and we rebounded better.”

Irvine cut the lead to 32-24 following two free throws by Raquel Renteria at the 6:42 mark of the fourth quarter, but Lilliana Motley converted a free throw and added another bucket that extended Woodbridge’s lead to 38-24 with 3:56 to play. Woodbridge’s defense limited the Vaqueros to one basket the rest of the way and cruised to the victory.

“Woodbridge hit shots and we didn’t execute our offense or defense,” said Irvine Coach Sam Davis. “They played like a team that really needed this game. They’re a good team and they played with more energy than we did.”  

The Warriors jumped out to a 9-0 lead after Krispin’s basket in the opening quarter and led 13-7 after the first quarter.

Vaqueros guard Shivani Joshi 3-pointer at the 6:36 mark of the second quarter trimmed Woodbridge’s lead to 13-12. Irvine had several opportunities to take the lead but the Vaqueros failed to score on their next seven possessions. Irvine rallied late in the half as Renteria scored on back-to-back baskets cutting the Warriors lead to 22-20 at the break.

Renteria and teammate Karina Choyeach scored 10 points to lead Irvine.  

Notes:

—According to Clarkson, if the Warriors defeat Northwood and Irvine lose to University on Friday, Woodbridge would be tied with Irvine for first place in league. However, Clarkson said he didn’t expect Irvine to fall to winless University. On Wednesday, Northwood defeated University and is currently tied with Woodbridge for second place in league with a 3-2 record, setting the stage for Friday’s winner to finish in second place and the loser having to petition to reach the playoffs.

—Northwood defeated Woodbridge 42-31 on Jan.16.

—Irvine cheerleader Gabriella Quijano sang the National Anthem before Wednesday’s game.