Lady Eagles claw Pateros

Soap Lake outscores Billy Goats 43-40

SOAP LAKE — The Lady Eagles were never able to open a sizeable lead against Pateros but Soap Lake managed to edge the Lady Billy Goats 43-40.

"It was a tough match-up," said head coach Tony Blankenship. "It was a rematch of last year's district game. They knocked us out last year."

In the first quarter, Soap Lake kept it close.

Ariel Wernex was fouled by Pateros with Soap Lake down 10-8. Wernex made one shot and pulled the Lady Eagles within one.

Soap Lake tied it up 11-11 with six seconds left in the first quarter.

Pateros made two shots from the free-throw line before Marisol Velazquez made a baseline jumper to tie the game again at 13.

The Lady Billy Goats went on a 10-0 scoring run before Soap Lake made their next bucket.

Velazquez ended the streak by Pateros at the free-throw line, going 1 for 2.

Soap Lake followed Velazquez' basket with a steal and a quick two.

The Lady Eagles drew within two of Pateros as the half ended.

Pateros went into the locker room with a 23-21 lead.

The Lady Billy Goats were able to pull away from Soap Lake again as the third quarter began.

With 15 seconds left in the third quarter, Soap Lake tied the game.

Pateros took a 4-point lead with six minutes left in the game.

Kali Nielsen gave her team the 37-36 lead with just under four minutes left.

Nielsen helped push the lead to five with two minutes left.

Velazquez fouled out with 40 seconds left and Michelle Marthini sealed the win for her team shooting 1 for 2 from the line to make the final score 43-40.

"Kali, Tanya Babak and Marthini all had great games tonight," said Blankenship.

Soap Lake is now 4-4 on the season and 1-2 in league.