Ashley Ontiveros admits she was worried.
What had once been a seemingly insurmountable lead for the Rio Mesa High girls basketball team quickly began to dwindle, as Santa Barbara made shot after shot to start the second half.
The Dons cut a 28-point, first-half deficit to just eight before Ontiveros restored order for the Spartans.
The senior guard hit some clutch baskets down the stretch as fourth-seeded Rio Mesa pulled away once again to defeat Santa Barbara 64-50 in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AAA playoffs on Thursday night at Rio Mesa High.
Rio Mesa (22-5) plays at Westlake in the second round on Saturday night at 7.
