Despite being up by double digits late in the third quarter, the Woodland High School girls’ varsity basketball team suffered a painful loss to Golden Empire League foe Destiny Charter Academy on Tuesday night, losing in heartbreaking fashion 40-35.

The Wolves (1-16, 0-8 GEL) came into the matchup following a close 55-42 loss to El Camino this past Friday night. At home once again, Woodland aimed to secure their first league win of the season, and after a Lucy Lopez 3-pointer later in the third quarter made it 31-18, things looked to be going well.

Unfortunately, a paralyzing 22-4 run from Destiny Charter Academy snatched that victory away, leaving everyone in the gym stunned.

“If we hit half our free throws, we win that game easily,” Wolves head coach Mike Barron said. “We missed about 14 free throws, which really hurt us. I think we have come a long way, but we are still learning how to compete. We haven’t crossed that win threshold yet. There’s been a real progression this year now that we are constantly in the game when it’s late. It’s just frustrating that we haven’t converted any of them to a win.”

Following a fantastic first quarter from senior captain Madilyn Watkins, the Wolves clung to a close 13-11 lead.

“I was so impressed with her,” Barron mentioned. “She is the ultimate competitor and shows some real senior leadership for the girls. I could not be more proud of her and how she played.”

With about five minutes left to go in the first half, Wolves freshman Presley Pinegar stole the ball from a Destiny Charter player and broke away for an easy layup, extending the lead to 15-11.

Woodland continued their hot run after baskets from junior Mayte Leon Perez and Pinegar made it 19-11. Woodland then opened up its first double-digit lead of the night after Leon Perez drained another basket to go up 21-11.

The Wolves’ run ended there, allowing Destiny Charter to mount a mini 4-0 run to cut the lead to 21-15 going into halftime. The Lions continued the comeback one play into the third quarter after nailing a 3-pointer on the first possession to cut the lead to 21-18.

Wolves junior Zoe Byrd then chipped in with a basket to make it 23-18 right before Watkins got back in on the action with another basket to go back up 25-18.

Following a single free throw from Pinegar to go up 26-18, the game fell into a bit of a scoring drought, lasting two to three minutes of game time.

Watkins would draw a foul and hit both free throws to break the drought and extend the lead back to 10. Sophomore Lucy Lopez then looked to land the final blow as she drained a 3-pointer to go up 31-18.

After a technical free throw from Watkins and a regular free throw from Pinegar, Lopez made the final Wolves basket of the night in the middle of the fourth quarter to make it 34-26.

With only five minutes left, the Wolves’ big lead had shrunk to just eight. Then, with 3 minutes left, the lead shrunk again to just three at 35-32. A minute and a half later, the score was tied up at 35-35.

Then, the Lions took the lead for the first time of the night, going up 36-35. Following a few more free throws and missed shots from the Wolves, the Lions got back onto the bus with an impressive 40-35 come-from-behind win.

“I felt bad for the girls,” Barron said. “I saw the fight and effort. My heart goes out to them. I see them working so hard, and I really want them to get that victory. We are getting closer. We are running out of games, but hopefully, we get one before the end of the season.”

Up next for the Wolves will be another great chance to get that first league win of the year when they take on league rivals Dixon at home on Thursday. After that, they will have a busy week with three games scheduled against Casa Roble, Sutter, and Natomas set for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

“Next week will be tough with three games,” Barron said. “We are pretty well conditioned, and we don’t get too tired too much. I think we will be up for it physically, but mentally, it will be tough.”