SRJC 66, Modesto 58
The Bear Cubs (10-8, 1-2) hosted the Modesto Junior College Pirates (3-11, 0-3) in a tightly contested game. The Bear Cubs got on the scoreboard first when Brooke Santander converted a 3-point play with 9:01 on the clock. Fifty-nine seconds later Santander again scored on a drive and was fouled, but missed the free throw for a 5-1 lead. The Pirates hit a 3-pointer and two field goals to go ahead 8-7 at the 5:45 mark. Then beginning with one 3-pointer each by Brooke Santander and Ashley Hart the Bear Cubs recorded 9 unanswered points for a 17-8 lead with 1:17 left in the quarter. The Pirates made one out of two free throws with 44 seconds remaining, and Vai Thompson scored the final basket 17 seconds later for a 19-9 advantage.
The Pirates outscored the Bear Cubs 8-2 during first 4:43 of the second quarter before Ashley Hart banked in a shot to make the score 23-17. During the next 2:31 the Bear Cubs went on a 9-2 run to stretch their lead to 32-19. The Pirates made one of two free throws and a 3-pointer with just under a minute on the clock to cut the Bear Cubs' lead to 32-23 going into halftime.
The Pirates got off to a great start in the third quarter, including two 3-pointers to take over the lead 33-32 with 7:55 on the clock. Then Niambi Saint Louis finally scored for the Bear Cubs at the 7:05 mark. Brooke Santander added two free throws, Zaina Depina scored on a drive, and Saint Louis hit a short shot for a 40-34 lead with used under four minutes in the quarter. The Pirates sank two shots in a row to close to 38-40. Kerianne Noonen sank three out of four free throws within 25 seconds and Santander hit a field goal with 1:05 remaining for a 45-40 margin. The Pirates finished with quarter with a 3-pointer and a field goal with 9 seconds left to tie the score at 45 going into the fourth quarter.
Vai Thompson converted a 3-point play on the Bear Cubs' first possession of the fourth quarter. The Vikings hit two free throws, then Layley Louzao converted a 3-point play at the 9:08 mark. The Pirates tied the score at 53 with 6:19 on the clock. Kerianne Noonen sank four free throws on consecutive trips to the line and Zaina Depina scored on a drive for a 59-53 lead at the midpoint of the quarter. The Pirates countered with one of two free throws and a field goal to cut their deficit to 56-59 with 3:35 left. Noonen made one of two free throws 13 seconds later and the Pirates' post player hit a shot from around the free throw line with 1:53 on the clock to make the score 60-59. Jenna Dunbar swished a 3-pointer with 1:29 remaining and Vai Thompson scored on a spin move in front of the basket 28 seconds after that. The Bear Cubs prevented the Pirates from scoring, and Thompson drew a foul with 32 seconds to play. She made one of two free throws for a 66-59 lead. The Bear Cubs again stopped the Pirates and ran out the clock to claim the 66-59 victory.
The Pirates made 9 out of 18 shots in the third quarter to outscore the Bear Cubs 22-13. But the Bear Cubs, thanks to 8 out of 10 from the free throw line, were able to outscore the Pirates 21-13 in the final quarter.
Brooke Santander led the Bear Cubs in scoring with 16 points. Kerianne Noonen made 9 out of 12 from the free throw line and added a field goal and a 3-pointer for 14 points. Vai Thompson added 9 points, Niambi Saint Louis 8, Ashley Hart 7, Jenna Dunbar 5, Zaina Depina 4, and Layley Louzao 3. Kerianne Noonen and Vai Thompson each grabbed 7 rebounds and Noonen passed for 5 assists. Jenna Dunbar, in her first game back since breaking a bone in her foot near the end of the third game of the season, played 15 minutes, pulled down 5 rebounds, and made the critical 3-pointer to give the Bear Cubs a 63-59 lead.