Basketball Game Preview: Chaparral Pumas vs. Murrieta Valley Nighthawks

The Chaparral Pumas will face off against the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Chaparral is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 51.8 points per game this season.

Chaparral is headed into the game having just suffered their closest defeat since November 19, 2024 on Friday. They fell just short of Great Oak by a score of 54-51. The Pumas have struggled against the Wolfpack recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost matchup.

Despite the loss, Chaparral had strong showings from Zetta Faasua, who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Maya Ford, who went 6 of 8 on her way to 12 points and seven boards. The contest was Faasua's fifth in a row with at least ten points. Lexa Ava Li was another key player, putting up five points and six assists.

Meanwhile, Murrieta Valley came up short against Vista Murrieta on Friday and fell 57-46.

Chaparral's defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 14-9. As for Murrieta Valley, their loss dropped their record down to 15-11.

Chaparral came out on top in a nail-biter against Murrieta Valley in their previous matchup back in January, sneaking past 58-55. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Murrieta Valley's Valerie Lauritzen, who posted 27 points in addition to seven steals and five boards. Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Chaparral still be able to contain Lauritzen? There's only one way to find out.