Lathrop scored the first 14 points of the game and put up 17 first-quarter points behind four 3-pointers, but that was more points than the Spartans would score the rest of the way as visiting Johansen came from behind to win 36-32 in Western Athletic Conference action.
“We went stagnant,” Spartans coach Dwayne Davis said. “We couldn’t run any sets. They wanted to go five out and it was one shot and done because the weak-side
“We got them in foul trouble and I wanted to drive the ball but were searching 3-point shots instead. When we run five motion, we are supposed to attack the basket every time, but instead we shot five or six air balls in the fourth quarter.”
Marianna Delgado scored all six of her points for Lathrop (8-4 SAL, 18-9 overall) behind a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter. Tatiana Lowery and Rianna Delacruz each added a shot from behind the arc in the opening period and paced the Spartans with seven points each. Shakara Porter chipped in five points and seven rebounds with Jaleiyah Ray grabbing six rebounds.
Bethany Albarran paced the Vikings (7-5, 14-12) with nine points. Jamie Zarilla (eight points) helped lead Johansen’s defensive charge, grabbing seven first-half rebounds and totaling seven steals.
“She is our leader,” Vikings coach Derrick McGlaughlin said of Zarilla. “She is tenacious. She is probably the best defensive player in the league.”
The low point of the game for Lathrop was its four-point second quarter. Things did not get much better after that, totaling just 11 points in the second half.
The Spartans remain in the third and final guaranteed WAC playoff slot, a game ahead of the Vikings with two games remaining. Lathrop hosts first-place Mountain House on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and closes out the WAC campaign at home on Thurssday night against Los Banos at 7:15.
Junior varsity
Lathrop 33, Johansen 21
Kriselle Matela made seven points and three steals for the Spartans with Erin Chunn shipping in six points, seven steals and four rebounds.
