After a nail-biting fourth quarter, the girls varsity basketball team fell to Gunderson High School 42-47 on Tuesday, December 4. After a tight three quarters, the Eagles fell into foul trouble in the fourth, allowing Gunderson to score clutch free throws to win the game.

“I think we kept our hustle but we were frazzled,” Captain senior Ideen Seyed said. “We threw around the ball, and I think if we played the basketball we know, we should have beaten them by 10 or 15 [points]. I think it was just an off night.”

Early in the game, the Eagles ran a full court press on defense, pressuring faulty passing which lead to many Gunderson turnovers. For the first quarter and a half, the girls maintained strong presence defensively, forcing Gunderson to shoot low percentage on the outside.

However, what the Eagles lacked was ball control. Los Altos was on offense much more than Gunderson, but could not control the ball. Gunderson countered quickly on fast breaks, and Los Altos began to fall into foul trouble later in the second quarter.

“I think we brought the momentum in the first half, but then in the second half we weren’t under control,” senior Glenda Vargas said. “We didn’t call a lot of plays on offense, and we were really sloppy. On both sides of the court we just weren’t having control of the ball.”

The Eagles started the third quarter down 21-25. Senior Tianna Vazquez was fouled severely during a drive to the basket. Even though she was hit in the head, the basket went in, putting the Eagles only two points behind Gunderson. Tianna returned to the game only moments after to draw another foul and score a free throw. She scored all her five points in the third quarter.

Following Tianna, Ideen drained a clutch three-point shot to put the Eagles at its first lead since the first half. Ideen had her fourth foul at the end of the third quarter, and with the game at a three point difference, she had to sit out for the beginning of the fourth. Ideen scored nine points in the game.

Foul trouble continued to plague the team. Tianna fouled out with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter with the team down 40-41. After a series of free throws from both teams, freshman Katie Munro made a basket to bring the Eagles to a tie. However, in the next possession, Gunderson quickly countered with a layup.

Because both teams were over their foul limit, any foul would lead to free throws. Gunderson scored crucial free throws to put them at a lead of four points, and went on to win.

The girls basketball team will face Saint Francis High School away next Tuesday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m.