FOUR MARINER defenders surround Valencia player (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

On a winter’s night when both teams’ shooting was as chilly as a judge’s smile, some cool-as-ice free throw work lifted the Valencia High girls basketball team to a 36-32 upset win over Pacifica in the Mariner gymnasium on Friday.

The loss – in the Empire League opener for most teams –snapped a four-game winning streak for the Ms, now 15-2. The Tigers are 9-8 overall.

Neither team was able to score many points early. The Mariners led 9-8 after one quarter and the Tigers managed to grind out a 15-13 halftime lead which they extended to 25-21 after three quarters.

Having established a 30-24 lead with 3:10 to play, Valencia sought to protect its lead by playing a bit of keep-away. The M’s chipped the lead down to 33-29 at 1:04 and stunned the crowd when Jaden Agatep banked in a three-pointer to close the contest to a one-point – 33-32 – game at 0:46.

But Pacifica had to foul to get the ball back, and Jaylen Jorge hit three free throws to – pardon another pun – put the game on ice.

Anaya Beard of Valencia led all scorers with 24 points. Pacifica was led by Maelana Clark and Agatep, who each had 13 points.

The M’s are scheduled to host El Toro on Saturday and then resume Empire League play on Tuesday when they visit Crean Lutheran of Irvine.