SAN MARCOS — The Comet women’s basketball team outscored the MiraCosta Spartans by 16 points in the fourth quarter to secure a comeback win that will have major implications on the upcoming playoffs.

Prior to tipoff at the Dome, the team honored sophomores Kailani Flournoy (#22), Mandy Frozina (#4), and Kylee Trujillo (#14).

From the opening tip, this was a physical matchup. There were 52 fouls in this one, which speaks to the aggressiveness from both teams throughout the night.

The Comets struggled offensively in the first quarter, shooting 4-15 from the field, and trailed 21-16 entering the second quarter.

The second quarter wasn’t much better for the Comets offense, but they were able to limit the Spartans on the other end, thanks to ReeRee Davis (#3) hounding MiraCosta’s top scorers.

“I really take it personal if someone tries to be super aggressive on me,” Davis said. “I just want to be aggressive back because I’m not letting anyone get past me.”

Flournoy and Trujillo were in foul trouble in the first half, limiting their playtime, which provided opportunity for Davis and fellow freshman Ivorii Seals (#24) to step up.

MiraCosta went into halftime with a 35-29 lead, but this was still anyone’s game.

Seals was huge in the third quarter, shooting 3-3 from the field, including a 3-pointer and three free throws, while also blocking a shot on defense. She was aggressive getting to the basket, attacking downhill and forcing the defense to foul her.

“Believing in all the work you put in and believing in the system we have, because in the beginning, I was playing … not great, so I really had to wake up for the team,” Seals said.

Seals finished the game as the Comets’ leading scorer, with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and two blocks. She helped Palomar outscore MiraCosta 20-15 in the third quarter.

The Comets were down 50-49 entering the fourth quarter when suddenly their offense came to life.

Palomar went on a 15-5 run to start the quarter, a sequence that started on the defensive end according to Trujillo.

“Everything starts with defense. Defensive plays get you offensive plays, so, we really were focused on our defense and offense will come afterwards,” Trujillo said.

Comet team captains Trujillo and Flournoy were clutch in the fourth quarter, outscoring the entire MiraCosta squad 12 points to 11.

Still, it was just a nine-point game with 2:49 remaining, plenty of time for MiraCosta to go on a run to make it close.

But freshman sharpshooter Kami Gillis (#10), who had missed all of her 3-point attempts up until this point, hit a dagger three to put Palomar up by 12 with 2:32 left and essentially sealed the game for the Comets.

“She’s the ultimate shooter in terms of she has amnesia, so, every single time she shoots it she thinks it’s going in,” Head Coach Leigh Marshall said. “She thinks she is always open and she never remembers a miss. I love it because she’s not scared in that moment, she wants that, so it was huge for her to hit that shot.”

The Comets secured a playoff spot with their 76-61 victory.

“Sophomore night we got a win, but now it’s next game, next opponent, so we gotta plan for them and give it our all just like we did tonight,” Trujillo said.

“It’s a whole new season now, our record is 0-0,” Coach Marshall said.