SRJC 82, American River College 40
In their first of three games this week, the Bear Cubs (14-2, 3-1) hosted the Beavers (4-10, 2-2) of American River College. The Bear Cubs got on the scoreboard first when Ciarah Michalik received the outlet pass from Sheriene Arikat after a Beavers' miss and immediately drove down to bank in the left-handed layup. Twenty-six seconds later Tamai Mancuso intercepted a Bear Cubs' pass and dribbled down to tie the game. After Sheriene Arikat made one free throw, Mancuso scored six points on a 3-pointer and a 3-point play to give the Beavers an 8-3 lead at the 7:47 mark. Arikat's putback, Michalik's steal and layup, and Lanie Lincoln's 3-pointer with 5:33 on the clock put the Bear Cubs in front 10-9. Two possessions later, Michalik again caught the outlet pass and dribbled the rest of the way down to score the layup. Following Adia Williams' two free throws, Lincoln swished another 3-pointer, and Rose Nevin was successful on a low post move, making the lead 17-11. Holly Brooks dropped in a shot from below the free throw line, and Alex Ditizio made one free throw to end the period with the Bear Cubs ahead 18-13.
The Beavers tallied the first three points of the second quarter when Jorie Keitges was fouled on a shot attempt from beyond the arc and made all three free throws. The Bear Cubs missed their first three shots then scored 13 unanswered points on Sheriene Arikat's drive, Lucca Lowenberg's 3-pointer and layup, Lanie Lincoln 3-pointer, and Lowenberg's second 3-pointer for a 31-16 lead at the midpoint of the period. Mancuso drained a 3-pointer at the 3:15 mark. Twelve seconds later Ashleigh Barr caught the lob pass over a defender and banked in the 2-footer. Keitges' 3-pointer was followed by Lanie Lincoln's 3-pointer and then Mancuso's 3-pointer with 1:40 left. The Bear Cubs added two more field goals on another Lincoln lob to Barr and Lowenberg's back door cut and assist from Barr for a 40-25 halftime lead.
The Bear Cubs started the third quarter with a 19-0 run during the first five minutes. Six different Bear Cubs had a hand in making 9 out of 14 shots, including one 3-pointer by Lucca Lowenberg. The ninth was particularly impressive with Lucca Lowenberg driving down the right side of the key and passing over defenders to a cutting Alex Ditizio, who jumped up to catch the ball on the left side of the basket and dropped in the 2-footer while still in the air. Williams scored inside for the Beavers with 4:59 on the clock. Nearly three minutes later Mancuso made a basket, and Ciarah Michalik made one free throw. Taylor Iacopi banked in a high-arcing 3-pointer, and Ashleigh Barr made both of her free throws with 48 seconds left. Adriana Rubio Perez made one free throw 14 seconds later to conclude the scoring in the period, as the Bear Cubs' margin had grown to 65-30.
The Bear Cubs made their first three shots of the fourth quarter—Rose Nevin's 2-footer off of Lanie Lincoln's assist, Lincoln's 3-pointer, and Lucca Lowenberg's layup off of Nevin's assist. Lowenberg's scoring drive with 6:09 on the clock made the score 74-30. Keitges ended the Beavers' scoreless streak with a 3-pointer at the 5:20 mark. The Bear Cubs tallied the next six points on Lincoln's 12-foot runner, and two baskets in a row by Rose Nevin from less than four feet. Aries Younger sank a low post shot with 3:09 left. Sheriene Arikat made the Bear Cubs' last field goal on a layup with 1:39 remaining. Younger added two free throws, and Keitges tossed in a 3-pointer at the buzzer, making the final score 82-40.
The Bear Cubs got off to a slow start in the first quarter, as they committed six turnovers and made 7 out of 18 shots (39%). In the third quarter the Bear Cubs increased their defensive intensity, and on offense they passed the ball crisply and unselfishly, recording 8 assists for their 10 baskets made out of 20 attempts (50%). Tamai Mancuso, who scored 14 points in the first half, led the Beavers with 16 points. Jorie Keitges, in her first game of the season, came off the bench and finished with 12 points.
Lanie Lincoln, who sank 5 3-pointers, led the Bear Cubs in scoring with a season-high 19 points. Lucca Lowenberg made 3 3-pointers and 4 field goals to total 17 points. Sheriene Arikat almost had a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Ashleigh Barr, who picked up her second foul before the midpoint of the second quarter, still registered her seventh double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ciarah Michalik added 9 points, Rose Nevin 8, Alex Ditizio 5, and Taylor Iacopi 3. Lincoln and Michalik each passed for 6 assists.