SRJC 67, Sierra College 84

            A week after losing to Sierra College at home by 8 points, the Bear Cubs (10-6-1, 2-2-1), faced the Wolverines (15-2, 4-1) on their home court in front of a crowd of spectators for the first time since December 21. The Wolverines won the tip, and Jenna Duley scored the first three points of the game on a 3-point play. Lizeth Zavala flipped in a left-handed 6-footer on the Bear Cubs' first possession. The Wolverines' post player made a basket, then Ashleigh Barr sank a 12-footer. After a field goal by Devon Lewis, Kierra Johnson pulled down a long offensive rebound, dribbled around two defenders and banked in the shot with 6:48 on the clock. The Wolverines tallied the next seven points before Ciarah Michalik drained a 3-pointer at the 5:02 mark. Again the Wolverines scored seven unanswered points. Hanna Morris' 3-footer on a baseline inbounds play with 3:22 left were the Bear Cubs' final points of the period. The Wolverines scored eight more points, including two more 3-pointers by Duley to take a commanding 29-11 lead.

            Jenna Duley sank a 2-pointer 30 seconds into the second quarter. Over a minute later, Ciarah Michalik hit a pull-up jumper from 10 feet out. Forty-eight seconds after that, Michalik was fouled on a drive and made one free throw. The Wolverines scored the next five points. On a baseline inbounds play Tal Webb passed to a wide open Ashleigh Barr two feet from the hoop for two points at the 5:06 mark. After a basket by Devon Lewis, on a Bear Cub fast break, Trinity Hawkins passed to a trailing Ashleigh Barr, who caught the ball in stride and banked in the layup. The next time down Kierra Johnson scored on a drive. The Wolverines countered with a 3-pointer and a field goal. Then Hannah Webb sank her own 3-pointer, making their deficit 23-43 with 2:25 on the clock. During the remainder of the period, the Wolverines added a field goal and two out of four free throws, while Michalik made both of her free throws and Hawkins swished a 3-pointer. The Wolverines' lead at halftime had grown to 47-28.

            Trinity Hawkins scored the first four points of the third quarter on a driving hook shot from eight feet out and two free throws 78 seconds after that. Christina Oliva made two field goals and Jenna Duley drained her fifth 3-pointer of the game. Ashleigh Barr's putback, Tal Webb's 3-pointer, Kierra Johnson's 3-foot hook, and Tal Webb's two close shots sliced their deficit to 43-55 with 3:30 on the clock. After two Wolverines' free throws, Ciarah Michalik made one. Then Oliva sank a deep 3-pointer. Trinity Hawkins scored the next five points on a 2-footer and three out of four free throws. Duley took advantage of a Bear Cubs' defensive lapse and made an uncontested layup just before the buzzer to give her team a 62-49 lead.

            Lizbeth Zavala's 5-footer started the scoring in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines made one free throw. Kierra Johnson's 15-footer, Ciarah Michalik's 3-pointer, and Kierra Johnson's 18-footer with 5:42 on the clock got the Bear Cubs to 58-65. During the next 86 seconds, the Wolverines made two field goals and a 3-pointer, while the Bear Cubs only managed to add three out of four free throws. With 3:48 remaining, Johnson put in a left handed 1-footer and followed it with a reverse layup 72 seconds later, making the score 65-76. Trinity Hawkins hit a 10-foot pull-up jumper with 43 seconds left to complete the Bear Cubs' scoring. The Wolverines finished with a 3-pointer by Kiki Griffen and five out of six free throws for an 84-67 victory.

            The Wolverines took advantage of the Bear Cubs' sub-par defensive efforts in the first half and shot the ball extremely well, making 19 out of 38 shots (50%), including five 3-pointers. Jenna Duley had the hot hand, scoring 21 points by halftime. The Bear Cubs improved their defensive efforts in the second half and committed 7 turnovers after making 16 in the first half. Four Wolverines scored in double figures: Jenna Duley (29), Devon Lewis (18), Christina Oliva (13), and Kiki Griffen (12).

            Three Bear Cubs scored in double figures, all with 14 points each: Trinity Hawkins, Ciarah Michalik, and Kierra Johnson. Ashleigh Barr, who tweaked her knee in the third quarter but was able to return late in the fourth, added 9 points, Tal Webb 7, Hannah Webb 3, Lizbeth Zavala, Lizeth Zavala, and Hanna Morris 2 each. Trinity Hawkins grabbed 9 rebounds and Kierra Johnson 7. Ciarah Michalik passed for 4 assists.67-87