The Valencia girls basketball team has been inconsistent this season, waiting for a big victory to spark a run of strong play.

On Friday, that victory may have come.

The Vikings stayed close to Canyon all afternoon and outplayed the Cowboys down the stretch in a 54-51 victory at Canyon High School.

It marks the first Foothill League loss for the Cowboys (14-6, 3-1) and a potential turning point for Valencia.

“It’s got to be the biggest (win) of the season so far,” said Valencia head coach Jerry Mike. “We’ve been up and down in preleague. We’re excited, and hopefully it’ll carry over.”

Valencia (11-10, 3-1) couldn’t seem to seize the lead in the second and third quarters, frequently cutting the lead to one point but never converting a chance to take it.

Finally, the Vikings moved in front 47-46 in the fourth quarter and hit enough free throws to stave off Canyon.

Valencia’s Lindsey Hill and Faith Anumba did most of the work at the line in the fourth quarter, going a combined 7-of-15.

Valencia attacked Canyon’s zone throughout the game and shot 38 free throws, making just 22 of them. By contrast, the Cowboys went 5-of-10 from the stripe.

“I think they did a good job of attacking us offensively and they got to the line,” said Canyon head coach Chuck Johns.

Trailing 52-48 late, Canyon’s Alexus Bryant nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.

Hill converted a pair of clutch free throws at the other end and a last-second 3-point attempt by Canyon’s Brooke LeMar missed the mark.

Anumba and teammate Jenny Lentz each scored 16 points to lead Valencia.

“Their defense was all up on us,” Lentz said. “They played amazing. We kept trying and didn’t give up.”

LeMar never really got going, shooting a meager 4-of-18 from the floor and scoring just 12 points.

According to Johns, when LeMar’s shot is off the rest of the team struggles.

“It’s tough for us,” he said. “She was hurting a little bit. (With the injury), she doesn’t have that extra step to get by people.”

Canyon did a good job of crashing the offensive glass in the first half and got numerous second-chance points because of it.

Canyon’s Adriana Dent scored 12 points, most coming in the paint, while teammate Amber Evans added nine.

Lauren Spargo had 11 points for the Vikings, while Hill scored seven of her eight points in the fourth quarter.

“We held our own,” Mike said. “It was quite a competitive game. We did a good job handling their pressure and that’s big for this team.”