MORENO VALLEY — The only way Thursday night’s game between Moreno Valley and Rancho Christian could have been more entertaining is if they played an overtime period. On the other hand, both teams played hard and shot well so they deserved an immediate result. After her Moreno Valley teammates broke a Rancho Christian press, Bella Medina hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer to lift the Vikings to an 82-79 victory in a matchup of top-tier Ivy League teams. Medina finished with 28 points to lead the way for for the Vikings (16-5 overall, 5-0 in league), who recorded their sixth straight victory. Rancho Christian fell to 16-5 overall with a 4-1 record in Ivy League play. Was Medina one of those players who would imagine such situations when she practiced as an elementary school player? “I still do this at the end of practice,” Medina said. The highlight-film ending was set up when Rancho Christian senior Hailey Whitman made two free throws with 6.4 seconds remaining on the cloack. That tied the score at 79 in a fourth quarter with 12 lead changes. Rancho Christian applied the press, as they had for the entire game. “We were able to find open space in the middle,” Medina said. Moreno Valley had some turnovers because of the press but also was able to score easy baskets at the other end. Alaysha Mills. Moreno Valley’s 6-foot sophomore forward, had 20 points and 16 rebounds. She converted four layups in the final quarter and had the assist on Medina’s winning basket. The coaches of each team have a mutual respect for the opponent. “This was a great game and it came down to who was tougher at the end,” Rancho Christian coach Marlon Wells said. “We made some clutch free throws and there are some small things we have to clean up. Our players are in great condition.” Rancho Christian senior Julia Wilson led all scorers with 31 points. Her layup and free throw kept the Eagles close in the waning minutes. Alyson Boyd sank a 3-point shot with 48.1 seconds remaining to tie the score at 77. Boyd had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Ebony Taylor-Smith added 14 points for the Eagles, including three from beyond the 3-point arc. “They (Rancho Christian) are an offensive machine,” Vikings coach Larry Wright said of Rancho Christian. “They shoot 3s really well.” Related Articles High School Sports | Roosevelt boys basketball team cruises past Centennial in Big VIII League showdown High School Sports | Yucaipa boys basketball team rallies past Cajon, takes sole possession of first place in the CBL High School Sports | Prep Football Notes: Lakeside hires 23-year-old to take over struggling program High School Sports | Inland girls athlete of the week: Natalie Rodriguez Romero, Citrus Hill High School Sports | Inland boys athlete of the week: Jake De Corte, Ontario Christian Wright said the only other time the teams had played was in last year’s CIF Section Division 2AA playoffs. Moreno Valley came out on top in that contest. The Vikings lead the race for the Ivy League title by one game. The two teams meet again on February 3 at Rancho Christian. It will be a tough act to follow after Thursday’s game. Related Articles High School Sports | Roosevelt boys basketball team cruises past Centennial in Big VIII League showdown High School Sports | Yucaipa boys basketball team rallies past Cajon, takes sole possession of first place in the CBL High School Sports | Prep Football Notes: Lakeside hires 23-year-old to take over struggling program High School Sports | Inland girls athlete of the week: Natalie Rodriguez Romero, Citrus Hill High School Sports | Inland boys athlete of the week: Jake De Corte, Ontario Christian