Grady’s Mandy Rush races down the court after grabbing a rebound during the second quarter of Tuesday’s game in the EPAC tournament at Floyd.

Floyd’s Cassie Breshears shots over by Grady’s Joli Lindsey during the third quarter.

Floyd’s Ronnie Mendoza searches for a teammate.

FLOYD — Floyd girls basketball coach Adam Terry believed, to the best of his knowledge, that his school had never served as a host to the annual EPAC hoops tournament.

After beating Grady 48-41 in a first-round game on Tuesday, it was apparent that Terry’s Broncos were up to the challenge. Even if Floyd was designated as the visiting team and the game was played in the old gymnasium.

“I hope it’s not a distraction,” Terry said. “But it is nice having it here.”

Floyd (10-4) took an early lead and tenaciously clung to it the entire game. The Broncos were led by Tori Tucker, who scored 18 points and kept Grady (4-8) at bay down the stretch with solid free-throw shooting.

In the last quarter, nine of Floyd’s 13 points were courtesy of Tucker at the charity stripe.

Grady never led in the game and we’re tied only once at 2-2 in the early moments. Later in the opening quarter, it was four straight makes by Floyd’s Cassie Breshears that gave her squad the advantage.

Grady doggedly pursued Floyd and with 2:36 left in the third quarter, pulled within 29-26 on a bucket by Payton Provencio.

“They’re very aggressive and coached well. We knew it was going to be a challenge because their girls play hard,” Terry said

Before the third period was over, Floyd grabbed control again as Breshears, Tucker and Elena Mendoza all tallied field goals.

Veronica Mendoza got into double figures for the Broncos with 11 points while Breshears added nine.

Throughout the game, the team quickness of Floyd led to additional opportunities with offensive rebounds and steals.

“When you have 800 turnovers, you’re not going to win any game,” Grady coach Alicia Rush said. “I want to commend our freshman, Joni Lampley, because she was a little sparkplug. She helped us do that (come back), but if you turn the ball over you don’t give yourself a chance.

Provencio led Grady with 13 points while Mandy Rush added 10.

Logan 48, Melrose 44 — The Lady Longhorns won a squeaker as senior Megan Frost and junior Jessica Aguilera scored 11 points apiece. Melrose (1-8) got 13 points from eighth-grader Cara Barnard.

Fort Sumner 56, House 15 — The Vixens (6-4) opened a 21-1 lead in the opener quarter and rolled behind a balanced attack led by senior Racheal Chavez with nine points. Twelve players scored for Fort Sumner.
Eighth-grader Cheyenne Price had two 3-pointers for six points for the Cowgirls (0-9).

Elida 73, San Jon 30 — Junior Reavis Best had 14 points as the Lady Tigers (11-2) cruised past San Jon. Sophomore Margo Ortiz added 13 points, junior Britnie Powell 11 and senior Nicole Jasso 10 for Elida.
Senior guard Brittany Slutz paced the Lady Coyotes (4-9) with nine points.

EPAC Tournament

at Floyd

Tuesday

First round

Logan 48, Melrose 44
Floyd 48, Grady 41
Elida 73, San Jon 30
Fort Sumner 56, House 15

Wednesday
Game 9 — Logan vs. Dora, 4:45 p.m., new gym
Game 11 — Texico vs. Fort Sumner, 6:30 p.m., old gym