A 24-14 run in the third quarter helped the Benicia High boys varsity basketball team stun host St. Patrick-St. Vincent on Saturday, 58-53, spoiling Senior Night for the Bruins.

It was the third straight victory for the Panthers (9-13), their longest winning streak of the season. All three wins came on the road.

“It’s finally coming together,” said Benicia head coach Steve Carter.

It was Benicia’s first victory over the Bruins since winning by forfeit in 2004. The Bruins had won the previous seven meetings by an average margin of 19 points, including an 85-51 victory in Benicia last season.

Carter, who had never beaten SPSV’s varsity entering this season, spent months scouting the Bruins (19-5). Several Panthers were on hand to watch the Bruins beat St. Joe’s the night before and knew what to expect from a program that went to the Northern California Division IV semifinals last year.

“They tried to press us and make us turn the ball over and we didn’t turn it over,” Carter said. “And we forced them to make bad shots and crash the boards, and they had no answer for us. We had a game plan for them.”

SPSV, playing its third game in three days and its fourth in five days, had a slim 25-22 lead at the break. Benicia broke the game open with its third-quarter run, then held off several Bruins comeback attempts down the stretch.

Dakarai Hughes made five 3-pointers and led all scorers with 21 points. Trey Pugh added 14 points and Brandon Barrett had 12 points.

Tavian Henderson led SPSV with 20 points while senior D.J. Harris made four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.

“St. Pat’s came to play but we’re playing really good right now,” Carter said.

Benicia hosts Vanden on Tuesday while SPSV plays at Salesian.

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