Seton Catholic and Mesquite girls basketball fans were expecting a nail-biter on Thursday night as their teams lined up for a marquee 4A matchup. Top-ranked Seton Catholic didn't allow for late-game suspense or suspense at all as it turned out against #3 Mesquite.

Seton began a treys barrage in the second quarter, connecting on five of 10 threes it would make in the game. That helped Seton outscore Mesquite 22-8 in the quarter -- good for a 33-19 halftime lead. The Sentinels protected that advantage throughout the second half and finished the 4A Desert Sky Region contest with a 65-46 victory.

The victory improved Seton to 13-5 overall, 10-0 in power-ranking games and 2-0 in region. Mesquite's record is solid at 14-5, 9-2 prg and 2-1 in region. 

Seton's boatload of three-point field goals in the middle quarters took the game from an 11-11 tie after the first quarter to double-digits heights from the middle of the second quarter to the final buzzer. 

Seton made five three-point field goals in each half. They owned a 10-3 advantage in three-point baskets for the game. Sophomore Carmella Gallardo made four of her five threes in the second quarter. Senior Amelie Cartagena connected on three of her five treys in the third period.

Mesquite made one mild bid at a comeback. The Wildcats pulled within 35-25 with six minutes left in the third quarter, but that was as close as they'd get. Seton fortified the lead to 53-35 by the end of the period. 

Gallardo led Seton with 23 points - five of her seven field goals were threes. Cartagena sank Seton's other five treys and finished with 18 points. Mesquite had two players score in double figures - sophomore Navae Guidry (13) and senior Mya Way (10). 

Seton continues region play at home on Tuesday against Marcos de Niza. Mesquite has a week between games. The Wildcats next contest is Thursday Jan. 19 hosting Arcadia in region play.