Juana Díaz, Isabela notch wins in BSNF

Imani McGee led Juana Díaz with 23 points and 18 rebounds.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Monarcas of Juana Díaz and the Pollitas of Isabela secured victories on Tuesday night in the National Women’s Superior Basketball league (BSNF by its initials in Spanish).

The Monarcas (Monarchs) won their third game of the season, rallying from an early double-digit deficit to defeat the Gigantes (Giants) of Carolina 62-59 at Guillermo Angulo Coliseum in Carolina.

Carolina led by 16 points, 27-11, after a Brittney Cedeño 3-pointer with 51 seconds left in the first quarter. However, a 36-13 comeback by the Monarcas between the second and third quarters turned the score around, 49-40.

Imani McGee led Juana Díaz with 23 points and 18 rebounds, Tess Amundsen added 12 points, and Leyinska Rivera contributed 10.

For the Gigantes, Aisha Sheppard finished with 27 points and Charity Harris had 10.

The Monarcas improved to 3-3 with the win, while Carolina saw its record fall to 3-4.

At Roger Mendoza Coliseum in Caguas, meanwhile, Lasha Petree scored 23 points as the Pollitas defeated the Criollas of Caguas, 85-79.

The victory put Isabela in first place with a 5-2 record while Caguas fell to 2-4.

Quionche Carter provided 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Pollitas, while Anisha George added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Kaelynn Satterfield chipped in 11 points.

Alisia Jenkins led the Criollas with 21 points. Jackie Benítez and Denise Solis each scored 12.

Ganaderas force a brief 3-way tie atop standings

The Ganaderas of Hatillo created a temporary three-way tie for first place on Monday night by defeating the Leonas of Ponce 75-62 at the Francisco “Pacho” Deida Coliseum in Hatillo.

The tie included the reigning champions, the Cangrejeras of Santurce, and the Pollitas, with all three teams holding a 4-2 record.

Hatillo took the first quarter 17-13. The Leonas briefly seized control in the second, 20-18, after a jumper by Talia von Oelhoffen capped a 5-0 run with 8:10 remaining.

Naomi Smith responded with a floater and Mckenzie Forbes added a 3-pointer to swing momentum back to the Ganaderas, 23-20, with 7:14 on the clock. The home team led at halftime, 35-28.

A deep shot from Ariel Jones marked the largest lead of the night, 58-41, with 3:16 left in the third quarter. Hatillo led 62-46 at the end of the period.

The Ganaderas’ offense was led by Forbes with 31 points, Jones with 14 and Essense Booker with 13.

For Ponce (1-4), Shelby Cheslek posted 22 points and 12 rebounds, Talia Von Oelhoffen scored 12 points, and Taya Corosdale added 11 points and 12 boards.