Women's Basketball: Bear Cubs fall to DVC 53-77

Bear Cubs playing defense against Diablo Valley College

SRJC 53, Diablo Valley College 77

 

            In their final game of 2019, the Bear Cubs (5-8) hosted the Vikings of Diablo Valley College (10-2), who are the defending State Champions. Lani Lincoln got the Bear Cubs on the scoreboard first when she banked in a running one-handed shot from 8 feet. It took the Vikings nearly two minutes to tie the score at 2 apiece. Kierra Johnson's post move, Hanna Morris' one free throw, and Amaya Macandog's fast break layup near the midpoint of the quarter, gave the Bear Cubs a 7-2 lead. The Vikings scored their second field goal with 4:15 on the clock. Nineteen seconds later the Bear Cubs began a streak of four baskets in a row--Lincoln's 3-pointer, her successful drive, her second 3-pointer, and Johnson's 1-footer on an inbounds play—for a 17-9 lead with 1:36 left. The Vikings finished the quarter with two 3-pointers and the Bear Cubs two free throws for a 19-15 margin.

            The Vikings opened the second quarter with two 3-pointers. Trinity Hawkins' putback tied the score at 21. Kierra Johnson's 1-footer was followed by another Vikings' 3-pointer. Lani Lincoln's 3-pointer, Johnson's drive from the high post, and Amaya Macandog's 3-pointer at the 5:32 mark put the Bear Cubs ahead 31-24. The Vikings sank a field goal and Lincoln scored on a drive. Johnson' putback with 2:40 left made the lead 35-26. The Vikings scored the next 8 points on a 3-pointer, a field goal, and a 3-point play. Kierra Johnson drew a shooting foul and made both free throws with 1:01 on the clock. The Vikings put in another field goal to pull within a point, 36-37, going into halftime.

            The Vikings scored the first five points of the third quarter before Kierra Johnson sank a 3-pointer.  Following a Vikings' field goal, Trinity Hawkins drew a shooting foul and made one free throw. The Vikings drained a 3-pointer, and then Lani Lincoln made one free throw with 7:27 on the clock to make their deficit 42-46. The Vikings then exploded with a 15-0 run, which included three 3-pointers, for a 61-42 lead. Meanwhile the Bear Cubs missed all of their shot attempts, and finally added two points on a pair of free throws by Hawkins with 46 seconds left. The Vikings dropped in another 3-pointer with 9 seconds left to widen their lead to 64-44.

            Trinity Hawkins scored the first two field goals of the fourth quarter on a putback and a 10-foot jumper. The Vikings added a 3-pointer and a field goal before Hawkins short shot with 3:23 on the clock made the score 50-69. The Vikings put in a field goal and a free throw during the next 68 seconds. Hanna Morris scored a wide open layup after catching the long pass from Kassi Agapoff with 1:25 left. The Vikings sank a field goal and Morris made one free throw with 41 seconds to go. The Vikings swished one last 3-pointer to punctuate their 77-53 victory.

            Again the Bear Cubs hurt their offensive efforts by committing 27 turnovers, limiting their shot attempts to 58 of which they made 19 (33%). The Vikings only turned the ball over 9 times and pulled down 22 offensive rebounds, enabling them to attempt 89 shots of which they made 28 (31%). Over half of those 28 baskets were from beyond the arc, as they made 15 of them. Nadia Johnson made 6 3-pointers and totaled 20 points, while Jzane Cavalli-Money came off the bench and sank 5 3-pointers for 15 points.

            Lani Lincoln led the Bear Cubs in scoring with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Kierra Johnson and Trinity Hawkins both posted double-doubles—Johnson with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Hawkins with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Amaya Macandog scored 5 points and Hanna Morris 4. Kassi Agapoff led in assists with 3.