Another moment in Guyer history occurred on Tuesday night when the Lady Wildcats beat Denton 34-26 at Wildcat Gymnasium — the first time in their three-year history that they have defeated a Denton ISD rival.

DRC/Al Key

Guyer’s Leah Russell, second from right, and Carrie Johnson, left, battle for a loose ball with Denton’s Maya Dergham, center, and Asia Jones during Tuesday’s game at Guyer High School. The Lady Wildcats won 34-26. Click here for more photos.

“We jumped a hurdle,” Guyer coach Charla Valenzuela said. “That’s exactly what we needed. We needed a win against them to prove we can beat someone in our town.”

In the teams’ previous meeting on Dec. 18, Denton beat Guyer 44-25 at the Purple Pit.

The win wasn’t simple window dressing either as it put the Lady Wildcats a half-game up on Denton for the third playoff spot in District 5-4A.

Guyer (9-17, 4-4) kept the score low in the first half as the teams were tied at 11 with five minutes to play in the first half before Guyer made a run.

The Lady Wildcats turned a tied game into a five-point lead at the halftime buzzer after Olivia Roberts hit a baseline jumper with seconds left in the half to give Guyer the 17-12 lead at the break.

Roberts was one of the keys in accomplishing what Valenzuela has been lobbying for all season — more points from her bench.

On Tuesday, Guyer got 10 points from Roberts and Kimmie Seiler off the bench, and Seiler also added six rebounds.

“Olivia and Kim were huge for us tonight,” Valenzuela said. “Ten points is what we need off the bench. I’m really proud of our overall effort.”

The game appeared to be well in Guyer’s favor after the third quarter after the Lady Wildcats went on a 9-1 run to start the second half and held Denton to just four third-quarter points — two of which came at the buzzer.

Denton coach Dennis Krishka said he used the perceived mental advantage to motivate his team before the game, but now that can be thrown out the window.

“I told them if we could get ahead early we could maybe put some doubt in their heads,” Krishka said. “We shot the ball very poorly though. When the ball doesn’t go in the hole, it’s hard to win a game.”

Valenzuela had said on numerous occasions that her team had a mental block when playing other Denton teams, but she said she knew on Monday that the mental issue was no longer a factor.

“Monday was one of the best practices we’ve had in a long time,” Valenzuela said. “It was just a fun practice and very energetic. We just wanted them to realize that they can play with anyone in this district, and they did that.”

Guyer was led by Leah Russell’s 12 points and Hannah Ingram had five. Ingram, Roberts, Ashley Manuel and Carrie Johnson collectively shut down Denton’s inside game, holding DaLissa Gaines to six points and Maya Dergham to just two.

ADAM BOEDEKER can be reached at 940-566-6872. His e-mail address is aboedeker@dentonrc.com .

Guyer 34, Denton 26

Denton (9-19, 4-5) – Brittani Brock 13, Jazmin Bodley 3, Demira Manuel 2, DaLissa Gaines 6, Maya Dergham 2.

Guyer (9-17, 4-4) – Jocelyn Cook 2, Olivia Roberts 4, Hannah Ingram 5, Leah Russell 12, Carrie Johnson 1, Alyssa Keim 4, Kimmie Seiler 6.