Basha Rallies Late to Escape Deer Valley in Open Division Playoffs

In a dramatic second-round matchup of Arizona’s Open Division playoffs, #4 Basha overcame a sluggish start and a double-digit second-half deficit to defeat #20 Deer Valley, 61-59. Playing without their star point guard, Mason Magee, the Bears struggled early but exploded in the fourth quarter to secure the win and advance to the quarterfinals.

Sloppy Start and Deer Valley’s Early Control

Both teams came out cold, struggling with turnovers and missed shots in the first quarter. After an uneventful 2-2 start, Deer Valley found some offensive rhythm, taking an 11-7 lead into the second quarter.

Basha fought back to tie the game at 17-17, but Deer Valley responded with a late surge to take a 28-24 lead into halftime. The energy favored the underdogs, and Basha needed a spark to avoid the upset.

Deer Valley Builds a Big Lead

Deer Valley continued to control the tempo in the third quarter, pushing their lead to 39-26 at one point. With Basha struggling offensively, it looked as though the #20 seed was on its way to pulling off a major upset. However, Basha trimmed the deficit to 45-37 by the end of the third, setting the stage for a thrilling final quarter.

Basha’s Fourth-Quarter Explosion

Needing a spark, Basha came out firing in the fourth quarter. Their offense erupted for 24 points, flipping the momentum entirely. They took their first lead of the game at 52-49 and never let up.

Deer Valley fought to the final seconds, but Basha’s late-game execution proved to be the difference. With clutch plays on both ends, the Bears completed the comeback, escaping with a 61-59 victory.

Looking Ahead

With the win, Basha advances to the quarterfinals, where they will face #5 O’Connor. After surviving this scare, they will need a sharper performance to keep their championship hopes alive.