DEL NORTE — The Del Norte Tiger boys basketball team proved resilient as they overcame a 8 point halftime deficit to defeat the Center Vikings 49-37 last Friday night in Del Norte.

Center senior standout Miguel Nungaray made five three point shots in the game, including two late in the first half that capped an 11-0 Vikings run. Nungaray led all scorers with 15 points.

Both squads struggled early on offense. Del Norte scored just 5 points in the first quarter and were barely edged out by Center’s 7 points. Del Norte came to life offensively in the second quarter after Senior Nick Trujillo completed a three point play after being fouled on a breakaway layup. The play gave Del Norte their only lead of the first half, 11-9.

Center junior Marco Rivera and Nungaray hit back to back three pointers that put the Vikings in ahead 21-13 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. Del Norte freshman Colin Trujillo responded by converting a three point play that made the score 24-16 at the half.

Center’s A.J. Garcia scored quickly to open the second half, but Del Norte rapidly closed the Viking lead in the third period. Del Norte sophomore Kaleb Stephens scored consecutive baskets that ignited an eight point Tiger run.

Nungaray and junior Omar Villagomez answered by scoring five quick points to give the Vikings a 33-26 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Despite struggling offensively for most of the night, Coach Clint Mondragon’s Tiger offense shined in the fourth quarter of play. Del Norte outscored Center 23-4 in the final period. This began with a Kaleb Stephens layup, and was followed by two quick scores by Nick Trujillo that cut the Center lead to 35-33.

Kyle Garcia and Austin Imes also contributed to the 13-0 run that then gave Del Norte a 42-35 lead. The Vikings were unable to rally in the final minutes as Del Norte sealed the victory, 49-37.

Nick Trujillo led the Tigers in scoring with 14 points, Kaleb Stephens contributed 11, Kyle Garcia had 10, Colin Trujillo had 7, Austin Imes 4, and Isaiah Abeyta 3.

Center’s Justin Gonzales followed Nungaray’s 15 points with 8 of his own, A.J. Garcia scored 8, Marco Rivera had 5, and Omar Villagomez had 2.

The Tigers will host the Centauri Falcons next Friday at the Del Norte Fieldhouse, followed by a matchup against the Sanford Indians the following day.