The Judson Rockets come into the game with tremendous confidence after beating Vista Ridge 70-65 in the second round of the playoffs. They sure did try their hardest to come up on top against a tough Johnson Jaguars (33-4).

“Our preparations is to play team defense, team offense, not turn the ball over, rebound the ball well and win while having fun,” head coach Trivia Corrales said.

Johnson won the tip off to start the game but failed to score on their opening draft. After the Rockets got the rebound, the Jaguars stole the ball away and scored the first points of the game with a deep three pointer. The Rockets answered back with an easy layup from center Heaven Mbaruk.

Following the points from Mbaruk, guard Chantel Govan hyped up the crowd with a crossover, making the defender fall and draining a deep three pointer. Although Judson had momentum, the were in foul trouble early with eight team fouls and gave the Jaguars six easy points. With Judson being up 11-13, the Jaguars called a timeout to make adjustments. After the timeout, the Jaguars answered with a deep three pointer. With a difficult quarter for the Rockets due to being in foul trouble, they managed to keep the lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-20.

With the second quarter starting, Judson didn’t hold nothing back by scoring five unanswered points and a tough defensive stands by forcing a turnover. Due to the Rockets pursuit towards the basket, the Jaguars made costly fouls to give the Rockets free points which led to Johnson taking a timeout. With the momentum and the lead, Judson went into half with an 18 point lead and a score of 25-43.

The third quarter was all about the Jaguars trying to make a comeback and playing good defense by holding the Rockets to only seven points. With a frustrated Rocket team, they began to foul and make costly mistakes. Going into the fourth quarter, Judson held the lead with a score of 37-50.

With the momentum being on the Jaguars side, they held Judson to no points in the first two minutes, forcing them call a timeout to make adjustments. After the timeout, the Rockets were playing good team basketball and moving the ball around to waist time off the clock and try to tire out the Jaguars.

With two minutes left in the quarter, Judson held a ten point lead. Shortly, the Jaguars were within five points with 1:45 left on the clock. With both teams playing their hearts out, they both were playing great defensive stands to make it a three point game. The Jaguars made a costly foul and gave the Rockets a chance to score and extend the lead. Johnson made a full court drive that ended up cutting the lead to two points. With 12 seconds left on the clock, Judson held to the ball until time ran out.

The Lady Rockets pulled off a marvelous win with a score of 60-62.