Lions Extend Win Streak Over Middlesex Behind Eguizabal Ruales' Huge Night
Edison, NJ - The RVCC Women's Basketball team entered the game against their Region XIX opponent Middlesex College, 5-0 since the Colts entered the Division II ranks in 2023. In the Lions' first contest against the Colts in 2023 they demolished the team by nearly 60 points. Since then the games have gotten somewhat closer, but after the first half of the game yesterday, it looked like it was going to be a repeat of 2023. Maria Eguizabal Ruales made 7 of her team high 8 three pointers in the first half to lead the Lions to a commanding 51-33 halftime lead. The Colts had no answers for the first year guard from Spain as she lit them up from all over downtown. However, the second half proved to be much different as the Lions could only muster up 30 total points, but it was the last three that were most important.
Early in the game the Lions got some big time production from Maria Eguizabal Ruales, but got major help from Jayla McNeil. McNeil connected on her first three point attempt of the season to help the Lions keep the Colts within striking distance. In the second quarter, Paula Aguilera Ortega, came alive with a few buckets of her own to help the Lions take the lead. After taking an early 10 point lead the host Colts found themselves down nearly 20 points heading into halftime.
The Colts had a decent crowd for their Sophomore Night that helped the team rally in the fourth quarter to take the lead from the Lions with just under three minutes to play. With the Lions down 2 points with just under 20 seconds to go, Telma Comba grabbed a defensive rebound and the team called a timeout. Sophomore guard, Elizabeth May, ran the designed play perfectly to get Eguizabal Ruales open for three with just about 15 seconds to go. A hard close out by the defender forced the dead eye shooter to shot fake, dribble and pull up from beyond the arc. The defender got just a little too close and fouled Eguizabal Ruales, sending her to the free throw line for three shots, with her team trailing 78-80. The freshman proved how calm, cool, and collected she is in late game situations by nailing all three of her free throws to give the Lions a 1 point lead with just under 12 seconds to go. A missed transition layup by the Colts and a held ball, which resulted in the Colts retaining possession, gave the Colts 5 seconds to win the game. The Lions switched their defense for the first time all game and Elizabeth May stiffled the Colts' go to player who couldn't even catch the ball. The team was forced to take an off balance three pointer to win the game that came up well off the mark and the Lions escaped with their 6th straight victory over the Colts. Their 6 game winning streak against the Colts is their longest against a single opponent in Region XIX play.
Eguizabal Ruales led the team with her career high 39 points while knocking down 8 three pointers. Aguilera Ortega was the only other Lion in double figures as she scored a career high 13 points. Jayla McNeil contributed 9 points while Elizabeth May and Julia Solé Pons each contributed 6 points.
The Lions' playoff hopes are still alive as they travel on Thursday to take on the Falcons from Lackawanna College for a 5 P.M. tip off.