Phoenix Christian coach Tara Poovey called time-out after her team failed to score the first 5:40 of Friday's game against Tempe Prep.

"This is not how we normally start,” said Poovey. “We needed to make some minor adjustments; little things turn into big things.”

And big things turned into a 45-32 victory.

Coming out of the time-out, the Cougars fought their way back and won the first quarter 11-10.

Captain and sophomore Ainsley Ebert and the only senior of the team, Mawe Rivero, combined for 26 points Ebert had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds while Rivero scored 14 points and had five rebounds.

“They’ve been standing out all year around,” said Poovey.

Fast pace, hustle plays and inexhaustible energy from the bench helped the Cougars maintain the lead the entire game.

“I know I couldn’t do it without the five players on the court and also the players on the bench,” said Ebert. 

Poovey singled out the bench, too.

“I’m finally getting in that point with these girls where they’re trusting me, I’m trusting them, the chemistry they've been asking for three years is something they’ve been really trying to get, and they’re finally there, and that’s why our bench is loud as ever,” said Poovey.

The Cougars (10-4) play at Scottdale Prep (12-3) Monday at 5.30 p.m.