Nelson Allen is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover Tuba City basketball for AZPreps365.com 

The Tuba City girls basketball team blew out the Winslow Bulldogs, 58-26 on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Don Petronovich Gym to pick up their fourth win of the season.

It was a slow start for the Warriors as they turned the ball over and missed multiple shots in the first quarter.

“We didn’t have spacing in the first quarter; we were just all over the place,” Tuba City coach Pete Butler said. “We didn’t get to the correct to run an effective offense, so it was just a matter of time that we start getting things together."

Sophomore guard Nakota Tallman and freshman guard Layla Curtis overpowered the pressure to put points on the board and stay ahead of the Bulldogs.

“My defense did a really good job on the outside where I got to get my layup and extra shots in, and the screens on the offense as well to get me open,” said Tallman, who posted 16 points and two steals.

Winslow freshman guard Nalani Chee was a tough player to cover, as she slipped through the Warriors defense to score five points in the first quarter.

It was in the second quarter when the Warriors took control of the game with an aggressive defense as they ended the first half leading 31-18.

The Warriors did not show any sign of slowing the momentum down as they returned in the second half as Curtis and senior guard Aubrey Begay made back-to-back scoring plays, giving the Warriors a boost in the third quarter.

Curtis finished with 15 points and five steals.

“I’m highly blessed that a lot of people, you know, put me up there,” Curtis said. “But at the same time, it’s staying humble as myself and not letting it get to my head.”

The Warriors aim to push their four-game winning streak to five, as they host the Snowflake Lobos on Dec. 16 at Warrior Pavillion.