Benicia High’s girls varsity basketball team backed its way into the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs with a 52-26 loss to host American Canyon in Tuesday night’s regular-season finale.

The defeat left the Lady Panthers (14-8) tied with Vallejo for the final automatic playoff spot awarded to the Solano County Athletic Conference, both teams finishing 4-6 in SCAC play. Benicia won a coin flip tiebreaker and will play as a No. 10 seed on the road at No. 7 seed Florin in the first round of the Division III playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

“At least we’re in the playoffs,” said Benicia head coach Randy Saitz after Tuesday’s loss. “That’s all that matters.”

American Canyon (12-14, 2-8 SCAC) handed Benicia its fourth loss in the past five games since the Lady Panthers lost senior leader Michelle Li to a season-ending knee injury. Benicia is averaging only 36 points per game since losing their leading scorer.

“We didn’t play very well; it’s as simple as that,” Saitz said. “We just didn’t have it. We can’t afford to lose a player like Michelle Li. I need my main player.”

Calei Mendoza led the Lady Panthers with six points. Benicia scored only two points in the first quarter and trailed 23-11 at halftime.

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