SRJC 47, San Joaquin Delta College 67

            The Bear Cubs (11-11, 5-3) hosted the defending champions of the Big 8 Conference, the Mustangs of San Joaquin Delta College (18-5, 7-1).The Mustangs scored the first field goal of the game on their second possession. After missing their first three shots, the Bear Cubs took a 3-2 lead on Sarah Arteseros' 3-pointer. The Mustangs answered with their own 3-pointer, then Amber Hart's 6-footer tied the game. After two more 3-pointers the Mustangs built up a 13-9 lead after six minutes of play. It took the Bear Cubs six more minutes and seven more shots before they finally made another field goal, by which time they found themselves behind 11-23. Taylor Graham and Brooke Santander hit back-to-back shots, cutting their deficit to 15-23 at the 6:55 mark. But they didn't make another basket until Alicia Mehtlan scored with 36 seconds in the half. Meanwhile the Mustangs tacked on 14 more points, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to go into the locker room with a 37-21 lead.

            During the first four minutes of the second half the Mustangs made 4 out of 10 shots, including three 3-pointers to jump out to a 49-25 advantage. The Bear Cubs were able to make four more baskets and five free throws in the next three minutes to get to within 13 points at 39-52. But then they made numerous turnovers, some unforced, as they were only able to convert two more field goals along with four free throws in the final seven minutes of the contest. For their part, the Mustangs added 15 more points, including two 3-pointers, to extend their winning margin to 20 points, 67-47.

            Due to their 32 turnovers, the Bear Cubs were limited to only 42 shot attempts of which they only made 14 (33%). The Mustangs only made 31% of their shots, but they took 74. Their 23 baskets included nine 3-pointers. The one positive statistic for the Bear Cubs was their success at the free throw line. They made 17 out of 20 (85%).

            Alicia Mehtlan led the Bear Cubs in scoring with 14 points on 3 field goals and 8 out of 9 free throws. Brooke Santander made 4 out of 7 shots and all four of her free throws for 12 points. Jenna Dunbar added 5 points, Amber Hart 4, Vai Thompson and Sarah Arteseros 3 each, and Taylor Graham, Brittney Rachuy, and Niambi Saint Louis each scored a single field goal. Jenna Dunbar was the top rebounder with 7 and Niambi Saint Louis grabbed 6.

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