Girls’ basketball: Gardner’s absence left a hole in Ayala’s lineup

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A key in Mira Costa’s triple-overtime victory over Ayala was that the Mustangs started hitting the boards in the second half, and the overtimes in particular.

Ayala held a 28-21 rebounding edge at halftime, but was 37-34 at the end of three quarters.

But over the next quarter and the three overtime periods, Mira Costa out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 24-14.

Part of that had to do with the absence of Ayala’s 6-foot-1 sophomore Rhema Gardner, who left the game midway through the first overtime with a spasm in her calf. Gardner had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

‘They kept getting second rebounds,’ Rebekah Gardner said. ‘Plus the scoring.’

-- Martin Henderson