The only thing better than good opportunities is more good opportunities.

Redondo Union High School's girls basketball team had plenty of both as the Sea Hawks pulled down 27 offensive rebounds to compensate for some difficulties shooting the ball, taking a 53-34 victory over Mira Costa despite shooting just 28 percent from the field.

"It was an ugly win," said Redondo head coach Marcelo Enriquez. "We missed a lot of opportunities and need to finish better, but our effort and intensity was great."

Redondo (9-8, 2-0) out-rebounded Mira Costa 50-28, finishing with almost as many offensive boards as the Mustangs' team total (27 to 28).

"Defensively, it’s the battle of the boards for us," said Sea Hawk Isabella Hall. "We like to compete against each other and it’s really the basis for offense and defense. It all starts on the glass."

Hall put together yet another double-digit rebounding performance, snaring 15 (nine offensive). Inara Nyingfa wasn't far behind, with 13 that gave her a double double to go along with her team-high 19 points.

"Bella was just hustling so much," said Enriquez. "She is inspirational for her teammates, the way she battles out there."

The Mustangs (9-10, 0-2) received a boost in the third quarter after trailing 27-14 to begin the half. Center Rachel Humphrey went to work inside, responding with three baskets coming in a four-minute span and cut the Sea Hawks’ lead from 15 to 10 at 30-20.

The Sea Hawks kept shooting balls at the glass and Brittany Stafford, who has been sidelined with a leg injury, came off the bench to gave the Mustangs fits inside, converting five offensive rebounds into 11 points.

Mira Costa's Camille Mills knocked down a three, but Stafford countered with an old-fashioned three-point play with 2:11 remaining in the third to keep the Mustangs at bay.

"Rebounds were a big factor in the game," said Mills. "We played hard, but just came up short in the end."

The Sea Hawks' height advantage became more noticeable as Humphrey was whistled for her fifth foul and forced to exit the game 11 seconds into the fourth quarter.

From that point, the Sea Hawks would go on a 14-4 run on the back of Nyingfa, who dominated inside with 10 fourth quarter points, helping to stretch the lead to as many as 20 before finishing with the 53-34 victory.

“I was getting good looks from my guards and I just wanted to focus on doing whatever needed to help my team—rebounds, blocks, steals, everything,” Nyingfa said.

Redondo was able to shake off a rough shooting night from season scoring leader Anne Park, whose four points came on 1-12 shooting.

"It’s good to see others stepping up when she doesn’t play her best," said Enriquez. "Bella, Brittany and Taylor have all been coming around on the offensive end and that’s what it’s going to take."

Shaylyn Austin, who connected on her first four shots of the night, was the only Mustang to finish in double figures, scoring 10 points. 

"Their height really overpowered us," said Mira Costa head coach Miranda Biteler. "Our girls fought hard for them [rebounds], but they didn’t fall our way."