Bear Cubs make a statement at Delta

Bear Cubs make a statement at Delta

SRJC 74, San Joaquin Delta College 61

 

            The Bear Cubs (16-10, 7-4) played their final Big 8 road game in Stockton against the San Joaquin Delta College Mustangs (18-9, 6-5). The Bear Cubs scored the first 8 points of the game on a 3-pointer by Brooke Santander, a 3-point play by Niambi Saint Louis, and a field goal by Jenna Dunbar. The Mustangs got on the scoreboard with a 3-point play at the 6:54 mark. Then the Mustangs hit a 3-pointer and a field goal to close to 8-9 with 4:18 on the clock. Fifty seconds later Kerianne Noonen sank a 3-pointer to start a 12-0 run, which included a 3-pointer by Ashley Hart, and four free throws by Meme Nicolis in the final minute, to take a 21-0 lead by the end of the quarter.

            The Bear Cubs started the second quarter with the ball and Vai Thompson made their first shot. The Mustangs converted a 3-point play on their first possession. Both teams ended up scoring 21 points in the quarter, including three 3-pointers each. Jenna Dunbar made two 3-pointers in the quarter and Brooke Santander converted two 3-point plays as the Bear Cubs went into halftime ahead 42-29.

            Jenna Dunbar began the scoring in the third quarter. The Mustangs matched it with two free throws. Vai Thompson added a field goal and Dunbar one free throw for a 47-31 lead with 7:31 on the clock. Neither team scored until the Mustangs banked in a 4-foot shot at the 4:35 mark. Then Jenna Dunbar sank two shots in a row, the second one from beyond the arc, for a 52-36 lead with 3:42 remaining. The Mustangs scored two more field goals in the quarter. The Bear Cubs scored on one free throw by Kerianne Noonen, a field goal by Vai Thompson, and a field goal and two free throws by Brooke Santander for a 59-40 lead at the end of the quarter.

            Kerianne Noonen sank one of two free throws 64 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Mustangs countered with a 3-pointer. Then Vai Thompson banked in the Bear Cubs' first shot attempt as she finished off a fast break after catching a pass from Noonen. Forty seconds later Ashley Hart caught a Noonen pass on another fast break and dropped it in for a 64-46 margin with 7:50 on the clock. The Mustangs put together a 7-1 run to cut their deficit to 52-65 with 4:55 remaining. Kerianne Noonen was fouled twice with less than 4 minutes left and made three free throws. The Mustangs sank two field goals to get to 56-68 with 3:12 to go. Niambi Saint Louis scored a field goal 32 seconds later. The Mustangs made one 53 seconds after that. Then with 1:24 to play Brooke Santander hustled after a loose ball in the middle of the key and turned it into a 72-58 advantage. Noonen scored the Bear Cubs' final points on two free throws with 47 seconds left. The Mustangs finished with a 3-pointer, as the Bear Cubs earned the 74-61 road victory.

            The Bear Cubs had their best shooting performance of the season as they made 23 out of 45 shots (51%), including 7 out of 15 (47%) from 3-point land. Their defense frustrated the Mustangs and forced them to make only 21 out of 77 shots (27%). The Bear Cubs pulled down only 7 offensive rebounds, but they scored on 3 of them. The Mustangs fought for 22 offensive boards but only scored on two of them.

            Brooke Santander led the Bear Cubs in scoring with 20 points, including two 3-pointers. Jenna Dunbar had her first double-double of the season with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds. Kerianne Noonen made one 3-pointer and 8 free throws for 11 points. Niambi Saint Louis and Vai Thompson each scored 8 points, and Ashley Hart and Meme Nicolis each added 5 points. Santander and Thompson each pulled down 6 rebounds. Kerianne Noonen passed for 5 assists.