Girls' basketball: Gardner's absence left a hole in Ayala's lineup

A key in Mira Costa's triple-overtime victory over Ayala was that the Mustangs started hitting the boards in the second half, and the overtimes in particular.

Ayala held a 28-21 rebounding edge at halftime, but was 37-34 at the end of three quarters.

But over the next quarter and the three overtime periods, Mira Costa out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 24-14.

Part of that had to do with the absence of Ayala's 6-foot-1 sophomore Rhema Gardner, who left the game midway through the first overtime with a spasm in her calf. Gardner had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

"They kept getting second rebounds," Rebekah Gardner said. "Plus the scoring."

-- Martin Henderson