MidValleySports.Com

(El Monte) – After a disappointing 2009-10 season for Arroyo, the Lady Knights looked to bounce back and begin the 2010-11 campaign on a winning note. Thanks to a defensive team effort Arroyo began the year with a 37-20 win over Rio Hondo Prep.

Trailing 12-10 after the half, the Lady Knights rattled off 17-unanswered points in the third quarter and held the Kares to just two points to blow open a close game.

Michelle Trieu scored five of her seven points in the third quarter while making two huge steals to help lead the defensive stand in the third quarter. Trieu’s three-pointer from the left corner with 6:22 remaining made the score 19-12.

Both teams came out shooting ice-cold in the first half as they combined for nine for 38 shooting exhibition.

Rio Hondo was led by Karah Kirby’s five points, with four coming in the final quarter. Essentially eliminating Kirby put more of the load early on Jayleen Wong who responded with five-first quarter points to allow the Kares to jump out to a 7-6 lead.

For 4:03 the scoreboard was stuck at 8-6, before Angelica Ruedas hit a short-jumper from inside the key to tie the score for the Knights. Ruedas scored quickly gave Arroyo a two-point lead a few seconds later with a lay-up.

Hayley Murphy scored the final points of the half to send Rio Hondo into the locker room ahead by two.

The Kares shooting woes continued in the second half going three for 22. The Lady Knights defense also didn’t help Rio Hondo out with its stifling defensive effort that forced turnovers in the third and fourth quarters.