Manatí, Santurce & Carolina earn wins in BSNF
By THE STAR STAFF
The Atenienses of Manatí, Cangrejeras of Santurce and Gigantes of Carolina all notched victories on Sunday in the Women’s National Superior Basketball (BSNF by its initials in Spanish) games.
The Atenienses defeated the Criollas of Caguas 86-76 at Juan Aubin Cruz Coliseum in Manatí for their fourth win in a row and strengthened their position atop the BSNF standings. The triumph also marked the Atenienses’ (7-1) second straight victory over the Criollas.
Caguas (6-3) did not go down without a fight, however. With 2:32 remaining, Katie Villarini sank a corner three-pointer that brought the Criollas within five points at 78-73, forcing Atenienses head coach Omar González to call a timeout.
After play resumed, Mari Plácido’s defensive pressure on Destiny Harden forced a Manatí turnover. Dre Una Edwards then gained possession, but the Criollas failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and another turnover returned the ball to the Atenienses, whose Kaela Hilaire scored a basket that extended Manatí’s lead back to seven points, 80-73.
Edwards responded seconds later with a three-pointer to keep Caguas’ hopes alive, but Harden answered with a long jump shot that made the score 82-76, giving Manatí some breathing room en route to the win.
Hilaire led a balanced Manatí offense with 24 points, eight assists and five rebounds, while Yemiyah Morris recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Caguas was led by Taylor Robertson’s 22 points and seven rebounds.
Elsewhere, the Cangrejeras stepped up under pressure to defeat the defending champions, the Explosivas of Moca, 77-71, for their third straight win and second in a row over Moca.
The game at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey was a series of momentum shifts. The Cangrejeras dominated the first quarter, 29-12, but Moca responded, outscoring the Cangrejeras by 16 points in the second period. The same trend continued after halftime, as Santurce regained control in the third quarter -- outscoring Moca 23-13 -- before the Explosivas rallied again in the final frame.
The score was tied for the last time when Moca’s Shannon Coffee sank two free throws with 2:28 remaining, knotting the game at 68. Then, with the game on the line, newly arrived import Kiara Leslie hit a crucial jump shot while drawing a foul, subsequently completing the three-point play to put Santurce ahead, 75-70.
Tension mounted shortly thereafter when Cangrejeras head coach Fernando Casablanca was assessed a technical foul for stepping onto the court. Leigha Brown converted the free throw, bringing the Explosivas within four points at 75-71. The Cangrejeras had the next possession, but an offensive foul resulted in a turnover, once again opening the door for Moca. Brown had a chance to narrow the gap further but failed to convert her field goal attempt.
Santurce sealed the win when Allysyn Becki drove to the basket and found an open Brianna Jones for two points, extending the lead to 77-71.
Jones led the Cangrejeras (7-2) with 20 points, while Leslie contributed 20 points off the bench. Brown led the Explosivas (3-5) with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Hillary Martínez contributed 16 points, five assists and three rebounds.
At José “Buga” Abreu Coliseum in Isabela, the Gigantes continue to gain ground in the league standings. Carolina (5-2) looked dominant once again -- this time on the road -- comfortably defeating the Pollitas of Isabela 79-59 for its fourth straight win.
Import Grace Berger was Carolina’s offensive standout with 21 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Joyner Holmes recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, along with five assists. Camille Zimmerman again led the Pollitas (5-3), finishing with a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds. Emily Kiser contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
