The top-ranked Lady Pirate basketball squad stunned the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers on Saturday afternoon in Cortez, defeating the hosts 66-16 in a result that extended the team’s undefeated record to 9-0 in 3A/4A Intermountain League (IML) play.
With the win, the Lady Pirates remain atop the IML standings and are now the No. 3 team in Colorado 4A girls’ basketball.
In Cortez, the Lady Pirates sprinted to a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter and at halftime led by 27.
Pagosa would go on to enjoy a 30-point second half while holding the Panthers to seven.
The Lady Pirates finished with 16 assists in Cortez, along with nine steals, three blocks and six turnovers.
Elizabeth Currier led the day’s offense with 19 points, followed by Kaila Limebrook with 15 points and Karsyn Shahan with 13.
Limebrook led the team’s rebounding effort with 13 total, including 10 offensive, followed by Currier’s eight and Lexi Campbell’s seven.
The Lady Pirates sunk five of eight free-throw attempts on Saturday.
The Lady Pirates are next scheduled to face the Sanford Mustangs in a nonleague contest this Friday, Feb. 22 in Pagosa Springs.
Sanford is currently 6-0 and the top-ranked team in the 2A/3A Southern Peaks League.
The game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at Pagosa Springs High School.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Lady Pirates hit the road to face IML rival Centauri at 2:30 p.m. at Centauri High School.
The two teams last faced off Feb. 1 in Pagosa Springs, with the Lady Pirates winning 30-27 and handing the now 8-1 Falcons their only league loss of the season.
Centauri is currently ranked second in the IML standings and third in the state’s 3A girls’ standings.
Pagosa was originally scheduled to travel for a Valentine’s Day bout against the Alamosa Mean Moose, but due to inclement weather, that game was rescheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Alamosa High School.
The Lady Pirates won their last encounter with the Mean Moose, No. 3 in the IML, on Jan. 24, winning 59-38.
Coach Sarah Osborn could not be reached for comment as of press time Wednesday.
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