By Don Ketchum

After being outscored 12-2 to begin the third quarter, it seemed as if Phoenix Desert Vista’s chances to beat host Phoenix Brophy Prep were fading on Friday night (Jan. 21).

Desert Vista trailed by 13 points at that juncture, but somehow managed to regain its composure.

The Thunder had cut the lead to four entering the fourth quarter and took the lead for good with 4:58 left in the game.

A three-point desperation shot from just inside the half-court line by Brophy’s Fred Gammage fell off the front of the rim as the buzzer sounded and Desert Vista held on for a 55-54 victory.

Desert Vista raised its record to 16-5 and Brophy fell to 12-6.

Brophy plays host to Catholic rival Phoenix St. Mary’s tonight at 6. The game will be shown live on streaming video on the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Web site, AIA365.com.

“It was harder than it had to be,’’ said Desert Vista coach Dave Williams, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief afterward. “Brophy is tough to beat at their place.’’

Getting and keeping the lead seemed almost too easy for Brophy. The Broncos bottled up Desert Vista forward Danny Powell most of the night, putting a body on him everywhere he went.

Powell finished with just six points, but guard Jeff Lowery helped to pick up the slack, scoring 19 points, 13 in the second half. Desert Vista hit five three-pointers in the second half and eight for the game.

When Brophy had its big lead, Williams said his players “were out of control. They weren’t doing their jobs the way they were supposed to be doing them. It’s all about having accountability.’’

A jump hook by Powell put Desert Vista up for good, 40-38. He also had a couple of key assists and hit two free throws with 45.8 seconds left to increase the Thunder’s lead to six points.

Sai Tummala led Brophy with 14 points and Rodrigo Furtado had 10.

“I don’t know what it is, but we seem to play better on the road,’’ Williams said. “This was a great win for us. We needed it.’’