Seton Catholic's girls basketball team had played the entire month of January down starting tall twins Jenn and LeeAnne Wirth. That hadn't stopped the Lady Sentinels from producing a 9-0 record and still hovering in the top two spots of the Division II power rankings.

Seton's streak came to screeching halt Monday night as D-I Mesquite used a 9-0 run late in the second quarter and ran off with a 61-50 victory at Mesquite High. The teams met two months ago in the Highland Tournament and Mesquite prevailed in that one, 61-55. The Wirths played in that game.

Mesquite, ranked 8th in the D-I power rankings on Monday, improved its record to 15-9 overall and 9-5 in power-ranking games. Mesquite was on the rebound from a 22-loss last Friday to top D-I seed Desert Vista. Seton (20-5 overall, 14-1 prg) remains in good shape in the D-II rankings in the top two. The Lady Sentinels, however, were likely worse for the wear after a postgame tongue-lashing from coach Karen Self.

"(Mesquite) outhustled us, outrebounded us and had more desire than we did," Self said. "We played a little defense early. Not much after that. We did a poor job of communicating and going after rebounds when they were right there to grab."

Mesquite coach Candice Gonzales was shocked not to see the Wirths play. They warmed up, but it was the first time this month they'd be allowed to suit up. Mesquite stuck with its plan to pressure, get points in transition and get good perimeter shots. The perimeter shots didn't fall often in the first half, especially with a 5-for-20 effort from the field in the opening period.

The game plan did start working in the second period after Seton took a 16-12 lead after the first period and opened up a 21-14 edge six minutes before the half primarily behind the scoring of freshman Sarah Barcello. Barcello tallied 15 points in the first half, 22 for the game.The last tie was at 24 with just more than three minutes before intermission.

Mesquite gor rolling and turned a seven-point deficit to a 33-24 lead with under a minute left in the second. The scoring triumvirate of freshmen Lindsey Vanallen, Shaylee Gonzales and junior Izzy Spruit did the damage. They combined for all 21 points for the Lady Wildcats in the quarter. Vanallen poured in a game-high 25 points, Shaylee Gonzales added 18 and Spruit chipped in with 10.

"We were surprised the Wirths didnt' play," Gonzales said. "We still went with our plan to pressure. We ddin't shoot well the first half. I think we were about 35 percent and they were ove 50, but  we played well enough to have the lead. ........"We decided we were going to try and take it to the hole more in the second half. We did a pretty good job of it, and showed good patience at times."

Seton has four games left in its regular season. Self said there is not a definite timetable on the Wirths' return from injuries. Both are working out, but have not been cleared to play. Mesquite has five games left, and a favorable schedule for the most part.