Despite a revolving door of injuries, the Miami Lady Vandals continue to find ways to win, including a 43-38 victory over crosstown rival Globe High School on the road last Saturday afternoon.

“I’m happy to come up with a win because we had two starters that didn’t get to play,” said Miami head coach Crystal Pietila. “We haven’t played one game with all of our starters yet so I’m hoping everyone gets well. Everyone has to be ready at any single time.”

Despite being down two starters, the Lady Vandals quickly jumped to an 8-0 lead to start the game behind baskets from Layla Thompson, Savannah Pietila and Drianna Dosela.

Globe’s Shanell Francis ended the Lady Tigers’ drought with a three-pointer with 4:45 left in the opening quarter. With a height advantage, Miami continued to pound the ball into post player Thompson. She split a pair of free throws, but followed up with a basket inside before Francis responded for Globe.

Thompson was fouled again, nailing both shots. Savannah Pietila was  also fouled and split her attempts for a 14-5 lead with 2:16 remaining in the quarter.

Globe’s Precious Bendle scored on a putback with less than two minutes remaining, but Miami’s Thompson again split free throws for a 15-7 first-quarter lead.

Thompson’s back-to-back baskets and pair of free throws to open the second quarter propelled Miami to a 21-9 lead. Globe ended a scoring drought when Arianna Gonnie scored on a fast break layup with 5:38 remaining in the first half.

The Lady Vandals led 26-15 with three minutes remaining before the Lady Tigers put together a mini-run. Bendle scored a layup off a steal; Myranda Patten added a free throw, came up with a steal and found Gonnie for a basket.

Gonnie added a putback to close the Lady Tigers’ deficit to 26-22 at halftime.

Miami opened the second half with seven  quick points to open up a 33-22 lead. Thompson added four points and Allie Roberts added the other three in that span. Globe’s Patten responded with a basket at the 5:49 mark, but Miami responded with a basket.

Another Miami basket with 27 seconds left gave the Lady Vandals a 37-24 lead heading into the fourth.

Globe chipped away at Miami’s lead in the fourth quarter, forcing a timeout after closing the gap to 39-33 with 4:12 left in the game.

Baskets by Thompson and Dosela kept Globe at bay, despite a late three from Francis.

Thompson put together a dominating effort with 25 points and 18 rebounds. Savannah Pietila finished with an all-around effort of seven points, five rebounds and five steals.

“Layla did pretty well tonight,” said coach Crystal Pietila. “Savannah’s defense was great and overall, I think all the girls did well one way or another.”

Miami played in a tournament gauntlet the last few days at the Eastern Arizona College Holiday Tournament. The tournament featured perennial powers Pima (2A), Thatcher (3A) and Fort Thomas (1A) as the top three seeds.