WELLS — On Tuesday, the Wells girls basketball team evened its record in league play.
The Lady Leopards improved to 5-5 in the 1A East against winless Jackpot, leaping to a mercy-rule victory with the score a 48-6.
Early in the first quarter, Wells went to the front for good on a baseline drive and a floater by freshman Khloe DelRio — who then set up junior Callie Brodsho for another deuce.
DelRio opened a 6-0 lead with a layup after a steal and an outlet pass by junior Liz Rivera-Casas.
A DelRio free throw made the score 7-0, and an old-fashioned three by freshman Aryanna Rodriguez — who scored on the right block through a foul and cashed the free throw — opened a 10-0 advantage with 3:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Wells’ margin grew to 12-0 on a layup on the left side by freshman Marli Dahl on a dish by Rodriguez after another steal.
Jackpot scored its first point of the game with 2:51 remaining in the first period on a free throw by sophomore Eunice Dominguez, adding another foul shot by senior Nadia Jack.
The Lady Leopards jumped to a 14-2 lead on an offensive put-back by junior Michelle Sorensen.
Wells closed the first quarter with a pair of free throws by Rodriguez and a steal and score for senior Hannah Prescott.
Going to the second, the Lady Leopards led by 17 with the score at 19-2.
The first points of the frame were provided on a baseline runner by Wells senior Nikki DelRio, and a steal and a take to the tin by Rivera-Casas opened a 23-2 advantage.
Freshman Keeli Wakley added a 3-0 personal run on a put-back and a free throw — pushing the lead to 26-2 — before Jackpot posted its first field goal on a deuce from the right block by sophomore Liliana Sanchez with 3:42 on the clock.
Closing the half, Wells senior Lillian Harney took over — making a 6-0 personal streak.
She scored in transition after a Rodriguez steal, knocked down two free throws and beat the buzzer with a drive down the right edge.
At the half, the Lady Leopards were up 30 with the score at 34-4.
The Lady Jaguars put in the first points of the third quarter on a long two-point jumper from the wing by Dominguez.
Rivera-Casas banked in a ball from the block on the other end, and Harney was assisted on the break by Khloe DelRio for a 38-6 cushion.
Harney set up junior Gizelle Flores for a layup after a steal, and a pair of foul shots by Dahl enforced the running clock with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter with the score at 42-6.
Dahl closed the third with a coast-to-coast take from a defensive rebound.
Going to the fourth, Wells led by 38 with the score at 44-6.
In the final frame, Brodsho dropped a runner along the right baseline and Wakley capped the scoring with a deuce on the left side with an assist from sophomore Andreina Mercado.
Wells evened its league record and improved to 5-5 in the 1A East with a 48-6 victory over Jackpot, dropping the Lady Jaguars to 0-13 overall and 0-9 in league play.
The Lady Leopards were balanced, 11 girls scoring in total — paced by eight points from Harney and even apiece for Dahl and Wakley.
Khloe DelRio and Rodriguez each added five points, and Brodsho and Rivera-Casas posted four apiece.
The Wells offense was rounded out with two points apiece from Nikki DelRio, Flores, Prescott and Sorensen.
Jackpot was led with three points by Dominguez, two for Sanchez and a free for Jack closed out the scoring for the Lady Jags.
Up Next
The Lady Leopards (11-11 overall, 5-5 in league) will host Carlin (3-17 overall, 1-9 in league) at 6 p.m. Thursday, in Wells.
The Lady Jags (0-13 overall, 0-9 in league) will play the Lady Railroaders at 2:30 p.m. Friday, in Carlin.
Wells at Eureka
On Friday, Wells was swept by the Lady Vandals with a 57-27 road loss in Eureka.
Wells at Lund
The Lady Leopards claimed a season sweep of the Lady Mustangs with a 49-31 road victory on Saturday, in Lund.
Jackpot at Lund
No score was reported for the Lady Jaguars’ road game on Friday, in Lund.
Jackpot at Eureka
On Saturday, Jackpot was swept in another running-clock 52-9 road loss at Eureka.