Monument Valley Lady Mustangs canned seven unanswered points during the final 1:10 in the fourth quarter to post a 61-58 comeback win over the Window Rock Lady Scouts in 3A North Region action in the Window Rock Events Center in Fort Defiance.

In boy's action between the two schools, Window Rock utilized a strong fourth quarter to chalk up a 79-66 victory over the Mustangs. The Fighting Scouts held a five-point lead, 49-44, at the end of the third quarter. Window Rock scorched the cords for 30 points, while the Mustangs pumped in 22 points during the final stanza, in a run-and-gun fourth period.

Girls

Kayenta Monument Valley 61, Window Rock 58

Monument Valley senior guard Tayla Nez scored 17 of her game high 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the Lady Mustangs to an important win.

Nez canned three treys and five free throws during the Lady Mustangs' fourth quarter rally. The Lady Mustangs were down by one point, 58-57, with 27.2 seconds remaining in the game, when Nez was fouled. Nez netted both ends of a one-plus-one bonus for a 59-58 lead. After a timeout, Window Rock committed a turnover.

The Lady Mustangs cashed in on the turnover. Nez was fouled with 8.7 seconds. Nez connected on both ends of her charity shots for a 61-58 lead. After a Window Rock timeout, the Lady Scouts failed to hit a three-point shot attempt as the game ended.

Monument Valley head coach Jason Franklin said pressure defense and hitting crucial free throws were the keys to the Lady Mustangs' win.

"Defense wins games," Franklin said. "The girls played outstanding defense. The girls applied defensive pressure. Our defense altered Window Rock's ball movement. Our defense allowed us to comeback to pick up a win. The girls hit crucial free throws, especially in the fourth quarter. Tayla (Nez) stepped up and played a solid game. Tayla hit free throws down the stretch during the fourth quarter. The girls hit about 80 per cent of their free throw attempts for the game. It was a good win, especially on the road."

Jana Solee and Halaya Shirley combined for eight points to lift Window Rock to a 10-0 lead through the opening three minutes of the first quarter. Lady Mustangs' freshman Shree Yazzie broke the ice, canning a basket.

Window Rock outscored the Lady Mustangs, 9-2, during the final four minutes of the first stanza, taking a 19-4 lead. Midway through the second quarter, the Lady Mustangs were within six points, 24-18. The Lady Scouts rallied, canning nine points and the Lady Mustangs managed two points. Window Rock held a 33-20 halftime lead.

The Lady Scouts and Lady Mustangs traded baskets as both teams unleashed its up tempo game in the third quarter. With 3:35 remaining, Kaitlyn Johnson's basket brought the Lady Mustangs within 14 points, 44-30.

Lady Mustangs' Nez canned a three-pointer as Monument Valley were down 49-36 when the third quarter expired.

Paced by Nez's hot shooting, the Lady Mustangs outscored the Lady Scouts, 18-7, during the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter. With 1:40 remaining in the game, Bayle Talkalai scored Window Rock's final points of the game. Window Rock held a 58-54 lead before Nez's heroics.

Solee led Window Rock with 13 points. Bayle Talkalai added 12 points, while Asia James and Shirley both tallied 10 points for the Fighting Scouts.

Boys

Window Rock 79, Kayenta Monument Valley 66

Five Window Rock players combined for 56 points to lead the Fighting Scouts to a 79-66 win over Monument Valley.

Trevor Herbert knocked down 20 points, while Adrian Destea added 13 points, Cauy Silversmith tallied 12 points and Marian Ynzunza chipped in with 11 points to pace Window Rock.

Destea and Burk Williams both canned two three-pointers apiece during the first period for Window Rock. The Fighting Scouts took a 22-12 lead at the end of the first stanza.

Window Rock stretched its lead to 29-22 on a free throw by Ynzunza with 3:36 remaining in the second frame. Herbert, Williams and Silversmith combined for six points as Window Rock took a 36-28 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Monument Valley battled back in the third quarter, taking a 37-36 lead on a basket by Merwyn Willie. Window Rock's Trevor Herbert canned back-to-back basket and added a three-pointer for a 46-41 lead. The Fighting Scouts held a 49-44 lead as the third quarter ended.

The Fighting Scouts outscored the Mustangs, 9-0, to take a 58-44 lead early in the fourth quarter. With 4:52 left, Window Rock extended its lead to 65-49. The Fighting Scouts continued to shoot the ball well, extending its lead to 71-55. Monument Valley outscored Window Rock, 11-8, during the final two minutes of the game.

Monument Valley head coach Jacob Nelson said the Mustangs it was a tough loss.

"The kids played hard," Nelson said. "Window Rock shot the ball well. Window Rock's number 1 (Trevor Herbert) and number 14 (Cauy Silversmith) shot the ball well. The kids need to continue working hard and playing hard. We have things the kids need to work on in practice. The regular season is winding down. We have to make a run.