After two sub .500 seasons, Xavier is on track to rebound this season, but chugging ahead of it is an experienced Valley Vista team.

A couple of those veterans grabbed the reins down the stretch and hit their free throws, allowing Valley Vista to avert a late collapse against Xavier, which shot better in the second half of this top-10, Division I power ranking match-up. Captains Taylor Chavez and Kiara Edwards scored the final 10 points to help down Xavier Wednesday, 43-36.

Both teams were aggressive, but host Valley Vista had more success making baskets early, when Xavier missed some lay-ins and eight first half free throws. That contributed to Valley Vista’s 11-point halftime lead (25-14).

Still, Valley Vista failed to stretch the lead.

“We are learning that sometimes we have to control the tempo of the game,” Valley Vista coach Rachel Matakas said. “Sometimes it gets away from us, so sometimes we play too fast and make some bad decisions. But as the season moves along we are getting a little smarter about that.”

Before Valley Vista showed off its smarts in the fourth period, Xavier opened the third period with two three pointers.

After a three-point play by Vanessa Murphy and two baskets by post player Alana Kelley, Xavier was down 28-26 with eight seconds remaining in the third. At that point, Valley Vista only had one field goal in the period.

Then Chavez struck. The sophomore is playing point guard this season for the first time and took it upon herself to give Valley Vista the push and momentum it needed keep Xavier at bay.

With 1.2 left in the third, Chavez hit a runner in the lane as she was fouled. She made the eventual free throw to push Valley Vista’s lead to five points (31-26).

Chavez reached her season average (18 points) in points per game Wednesday, including a flashy reverse lay up during the game. She left a defender in her wake before the second period play.

Edwards chipped in 15 points to help Valley Vista improve to 12-5 overall, 6-1 in the power rankings. With 11 regular season games left to play, Xavier has already won 10 games, the win total it finished with last year.

“We (Valley Vista) are jelling together a little bit more,” Edwards said.