By JASON EPP
Leader & Times
TURPIN, Okla.—The hardwood struggles continued for the Turpin Cardinals as they continue to look for their first win, falling to the Texhoma Red Devils 61-41.
“I liked our execution,” Cardinals coach Gary Wallace said. “We hung in there. They just had too much fire power for us, but I loved our effort. Fouled a lot early but fought through that. We’re improving every game and that’s all I can ask.”
After trailing by double digits at the half (31-20), the Turpin Cardinals played one of their best quarters of basketball this season. Cesar Anchondo hit a pair of threes and Isaahia Olvera scored three times as Turpin outscored Texhoma 18-13 to cut the Red Devils lead back to six (44-38) just seconds into the fourth quarter.
But Texhoma outlasted the Cardinals sickness and injury shortened bench (only nine in uniform) with a 17-3 run to end the game.
At the game’s start, both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net with each team scoring just once at the midway point of the first quarter. Threes by Aldo Espino and Carson Buller kept Turpin close, trailing just 12-9 at the end of the first.
Foul trouble struck the Cardinals hard, especially in the second quarter, with multiple players hit with their third and even fourth fouls. Texhoma took advantage, going 9 of 14 from the line in the second, while building their lead up to nine (23-14) with 2:23 left in the half.
Cesar Anchondo led the Cardinals with 14 points, including four threes. Aldo Espino had 9, all from beyond the arc, Aaron Resendiz added 7 and Isaahia Olvera 6.
Turpin (0-5) will take on tournament host Laverne, Thursday.