Bruins hold on at home to defeat Payson

The Mountain View girls basketball team led by 10 in the fourth quarter against Payson before the Bruins let the Lions sneak back and make things interesting Tuesday night.

But Mountain View (3-2, 8-6) crashed the boards and was rewarded with several second-chance points in the closing minutes of a 49-45 Bruin victory.

"If we had a shot, we would have to win it by rebounding," Mountain View head coach Laura Romo said. "That was our key going in; we needed to control the boards."

The Bruins plan seemed to resonate on the court, as they outrebounded Payson 22-14 in a game where the referee's allowed plenty of physicality.

Especially down the stretch, the Bruins responded to Payson's 10-3 run with opportunities after missed shots.

"We controlled the boards and when you do that you always have a shot," Romo said. "Things can go your way sometimes, but when you are rebounding you always give yourself an opportunity."

Early on, it appeared that Mountain View might run away with it, as the Bruins jumped out to a 15-7 lead to finish the first quarter.

The second quarter was nothing spectacular, as Payson made up one point but still trailed 27-20 at the half.

But the third quarter nearly brought the game to a grinding halt. Both teams scored six points in a turnover-plagued quarter that nobody wanted to take control of.

Both teams had several chances, but poor passing and shooting kept the game in striking distance.

"They were not shooting well and we were not shooting well, so I was just watching the clock and hoping it would keep running down," Romo said. "Sometimes you have those stretches. That is just basketball."

But the fourth quarter made up for everything.

Payson locked up and played great defense, forcing some Mountain View turnovers and they began to knock down shots.

With 45 seconds remaining, Lions center Karlie Mangelson scored inside to bring the game within three, but that is as close as it would get.

"I think Payson's intensity stepped up," Romo said. "They are a good team They play hard and are well coached, so I really have to credit them."

Mangelson finished with 12 points for the Lions and teammate Amanda Skinner had eight, six coming in the fourth.

It was Megan Goodman and Christina Augustin that led Mountain View with 10 points each.

"I thought that was the best game (Goodman) has played this year," Romo said. "She handled the ball well, looked for her teammates and then took shots when she was open. And (Augustin) played well, too. She hit her foul shots and played tough."

While she got great effort from her two leading scorers, Romo was just happy to come away with the victory as a team.

"Believe it or not, we don't have just one or two kids. We rotate them all in," Romo said. "It was a team win and that is what I am most proud of."

PAYSON (45)

Mangelson 12, Skinner 8, M. Bateman 2, Hiatt 7, Bushman 2, Orton 2, Rowley 7, Draper 4. Totals 15 13-16 45.

MOUNTAIN VIEW (49)

Boswell 3, Kocherhans 6, Goodman 10, Stoddard 2, Madsen 9, Halalilo 2, Augustin 10, Lines 2, Williams 5. Totals 18 12-22 49.

Payson 7 13 6 19 -- 45

Mountain View 15 12 6 16 -- 49

3-point goals: Payson 2 (Hiatt, Skinner). Mountain View 1 (Boswell).