Hays girls basketball coach Danny Preuss tried his best to emulate the typically terse Gregg Popovich following the Rebels’ 48-31 victory Tuesday night against rival Lehman.

The Rebels clinched a playoff berth with the win, but were outscored 12-4 in the final quarter. By that time, Preuss emptied his bench, which allowed Lehman to make a spirited comeback.

“We scored more points than they did,” Preuss said. “We won. That’s it. I’m giving you the Popovich interview.”

Entering the fourth quarter with a 25-point deficit, the Lobos had every reason to concede the game.

Instead, Lehman amped up the defensive pressure and created 10 turnovers in the fourth quarter. The giveaways resulted in high-percentage shots at the rim and the Lobos capitalized.

“They never quit … That’s why they made a run. A lot of teams would have quit and they didn’t.” Danny Preuss, Lady Rebel head coach

It took nearly three minutes in the fourth quarter for Hays to score its first points. The Rebels attempted just two shots and two free throws in the entire quarter.

Lehman converted on five of its 12 shot opportunities down the stretch, which included a 8-0 run.

“The girls said ‘it felt like a game,’” said Lehman coach James Halatin. “They were in it. They were involved. They were making Hays adjust to what we do, which is a testament to what these girls are doing.”

Lehman’s comeback attempt came a quarter too late. Hays closed the third frame on a 15-1 run, stretching its lead to 25 points.

Rebel guard Gabby Bosquez chipped in eight points in the third quarter and 17 points for the game.

“They took over in the third quarter, but our girls were playing,” Halatin said. “They were engaged. I was proud of the way we battled the whole night. It was a big difference. They are building and becoming better and better every game. In the second half of district, that’s what you want. You want improvement.”

Hays (19-12 overall, 6-4 district) will return to the playoffs this season, while Lehman (8-23 overall, 0-10 district) is still searching for its first district win of the year. The teams remain on opposite ends of the basketball spectrum.

But for one quarter at least, the roles reversed. Lehman looked the part of a team making a playoff push and Hays seemed like a year away from serious contention.

“Sometimes Hays and Lehman get in the gym and you don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Preuss said. “Crazy things happen.”