MONTE VISTA – The Del Norte High School girls basketball team broke open a tight game late in the contest to record a 40-32 win over Monte Vista Tuesday at the MVHS gym.

Kelci Madrid gave the Lady Tigers an early 4-0 lead. Lexi Marquez put the Lady Pirates on the board with a layup, but Del Norte scored the next five points to take a 9-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Reese Brown increased the lead to 11-2, but Monte Vista scored the next seven points, including a 3-point basket by Zariah Archuleta to cut the deficit to 11-9.

Madrid scored again, however, the Lady Pirates scored the next six points to take their first lead at 15-13. Baylie Laymon tied the score, but Sasha Dupont made one of two free throws to give Monte Vista a 16-15 lead at halftime.

Abigail Rivera drained a 3-pointer to put Del Norte back into the lead, and Laymon scored to increase the lead to 20-16. Monte Vista tied the score again, and after Rivera split at the line, Alyssa Ortega made a trey for a 23-21 Lady Pirates lead.

Rivera scored a layup, and Madrid made two free throws to give Del Norte a 25-23 edge at the end of the third quarter.

Allessah Archuleta tied the score, but the Lady Tigers scored nine straight points, including a three by Brown, to take a 34-25 advantage.

The Lady Pirates closed to within 34-29, but the Lady Tigers went on a 4-3 run to close out the game.

Madrid led all scorers with 16 points, which included going 8-8 at the line. Allessah Archuleta was Monte Vista’s leading scorer with eight points.

Del Norte (12-3, 5-0) will host Crested Butte on Friday.

Monte Vista (8-5, 2-2) will host South Park on Friday.

Del Norte 40, Monte Vista 32

Del Norte – Velasquez 1 0-0 2, Madrid 4 8-8 16, Brown 3 0-0 7, Haynie 1 1-2 3, Rivera 2 1-4 6, Van Zalinge 0 0-2 0, Howell 0 0-0 0, Laymon 2 0-1 4. Total 13 6-13 40.

3-point goals – Brown 1, Rivera 1. Total 2.

Monte Vista – Marquez 2 2-2 6, Rodriguez 0 0-0 0, Ortega 1 0-1 3, Z. Archuleta 2 0-0 5, Bernal 2 3-4 7, Dupont 0 1-2 1, Espinoza 0 0-0 0, A. Archuleta 3 2-2 8, Mora 0 0-0 0, Lopez 1 0-0 2. Total 10 7-11 32.

3-point goals – Z. Archuleta 1, Ortega 1. Total 2.

Del Norte 9 6 10 15 – 40

Monte Vista 2 14 7 9 – 32

Fouls – Del Norte 16, Monte Vista 19.