SRJC 24, San Joaquin Delta College 78
The Bear Cubs (9-13, 4-6) traveled to Stockton to face the #1 team in the state, the Mustangs of San Joaquin Delta College (23-1, 10-0) without point guard Lani Lincoln, who had an important family commitment. The Mustangs started the game with a 3-pointer, a steal, and a field goal for a 5-0 lead in 20 seconds. Twenty seconds later Trinity Hawkins drew a foul on a putback attempt and made one free throw. During the remaining 9:20, the Bear Cubs turned the ball over 14 more times, only attempted six more shots—not making any of them—and missed four free throws. The Mustangs scored 19 more points on 6 out of 13 shots, including three 3-pointers and one 3-point play to take a commanding 24-1 lead.
It took the Mustangs a little over two minutes to score the first points of the second quarter on a shot from beyond the arc. About a minute later, Hanna Morris drew a foul on a shot attempt near the basket and made one free throw. The Mustangs sank a field goal, and then Lizbeth Zavala banked in a 3-pointer from the wing on a baseline inbounds play to get to 5-29. Amaya Macandog was fouled on a drive with 4:39 on the clock and made the Bear Cubs' final point of the quarter. The Mustangs finished with a 9-0 run for a 38-6 halftime lead.
The Mustangs scored the first 11 points of the third quarter before Kierra Johnson hustled after an offensive rebound on a free throw and made a strong move to the basket, sinking the shot with 3:05 on the clock. Following a field goal by the Mustangs, Hanna Morris drew a shooting foul and made both free throws. After the Mustangs sank two free throws, Kassi Agapoff drove from the wing to the middle of the key, tossed up the one-handed shot from about 6 feet, and it banked in. The Mustangs put in two more field goals, giving them a 57-12 lead by the end of the quarter.
Marlana Sawyer scored the first three points of the fourth quarter on a shot from the wing with 7:41 on the clock. Over a minute later, Trinity Hawkins grabbed a defensive rebound and dribbled the length of the court around Mustangs to bank in the layup. The Mustangs made six unanswered field goals to get to 69-17 at the 4-minute mark. Ten seconds later Kassi Agapoff lobbed a pass over a defender to Hanna Morris, who put in the 1-footer. The hosts sank a quick field goal, and then so did Amaya Macandog. The Mustangs put in a field goal and a 3-pointer before Kierra Johnson passed cross-court from the high post to Marlana Sawyer, who swished her second 3-pointer. The Mustangs completed the scoring with a pair of free throws to make the final score 78-24.
Without Lani Lincoln, who usually plays all 40 minutes a game, to help break the press and run the offense, the Bear Cubs struggled mightily. Against the Mustangs' full court pressure in the first half, the Bear Cubs committed 25 turnovers, made just 1 out of 15 shots (6.7%), and 3 out of 10 free throws (30%). In the second half the Mustangs played half court pressure defense, but the Bear Cubs still turned the ball over 16 times. They managed to made 7 out of 22 shots (32%) and 2 out of 4 free throws.
Marlana Sawyer led the Bear Cubs in scoring with 6 points. Hanna Morris totaled 5 points. Trinity Hawkins, Amaya Macandog , and Lizbeth Zavala each scored 3 points, and Kassi Agapoff 2. Kierra Johnson, who only attempted four shots, making one, finished with 2 points and 12 rebounds. Trinity Hawkins was the top rebounder with 13. Kierra Johnson blocked 6 shots and Lizbeth Zavala 4.