MURRIETA – Kianna Smith scored a team-high 25 points and Troy closed the game with a 22-12 run to beat Vista Murrieta, 83-75, in a CIF-Southern Section Open Division consolation semifinal Tuesday night.
Smith scored 15 in the fourth quarter, making 5 of 6, and she finished with 10 rebounds. Junior forward Naomi Hunt added 24 points, including 13 in a fast first quarter in which the Warriors shot 10-for-15 from the floor.
Troy will face Alemany of Mission Hills in the Open Division consolation final.
“They have great players, so we knew we had to really focus on stopping Jaelyn Brown and Brittney Reed,” Smith said. “They didn’t intimidate us; I don’t think a lot of teams intimidate us – we just know we have to be ready.”
The Broncos trailed, 39-18, in the second quarter and 47-29 at halftime.
Nasrin Ulel then scored 14 points – 4 for 4 on 3s – in the third quarter, leading a 25-11 advantage in the period.
Vista Murrieta tied the score at 61 and took a 63-61 lead with 5:04 left on two free throws by senior forward Brittney Reed (24 points, 11 rebounds). At that point, Troy retook control of the game, finishing with a 22-12 run.
Contact the writer: lnegri@pressenterprise.com
