Agua Fria coach Ramon Marks knew heading into Friday's game his team needed to focus on closing out games.

“We’ve had the lead in the majority of our basketball games and most of the ones we’ve even lost,” said Marks. “If we get a lead make sure we are able to sustain the lead.”

This time the Owls did, avenging an earlier two-point loss against Barry Goldwater in a 56-50 victory.

Discipline and patience won the game, said Marks.

Agua Fria came out strong ending each of the quarters leading Barry Goldwater (7-10) by more than five points.

“They moved the ball around, they shared the ball around and that was one of the things that I think contributed to us getting the lead and being able to sustain the lead through out the ball game,” said Marks.

Senior Daniel Foster said it was the team’s improvement in getting more players involved and everyone playing their role that made the difference.

Although Agua Fria (12-5) won, the team knows where the need for improvements are. “We could have made more free throws and I feel like we could have ended the game out better in the stretches,” said Foster.

The free throws will be focused on taken more seriously in practice, Marks said to his team in the locker room.

“We had 14 assists, more assists than turnovers which is always a good thing and that just shows we play pretty good when we pass the ball around and we share the ball,” said Marks.

The win kept Agua Fria in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Its next game is Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.vs. La Joya Community