SRJC 70, Solano Community College 31
The Bear Cubs (6-0) traveled to Fairfield to face the Falcons (3-4) of Solano Community College. Prior to tipoff, the hosts had a short ceremony to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Title IX, which guarantees equal opportunities for women and girls in schools, including sports programs.
The Bear Cubs scored the first three points during the opening minute on one free throw by Reese Searcy and two by Ciarah Michalik. Ashleigh Barr's 3-point play with 6:53 on the clock prompted the Falcons' coach to call a timeout. When play resumed, Jaslyn Woods scored the Falcons' first field goal. The Bear Cubs answered with Searcy's drive and Ciarah Michalik's 12-footer. Forty seconds later Woods sank another basket, making their deficit 4-10. The Bear Cubs put together an 8-0 run, which included Searcy's 2-footer, one free throw by Sheriene Arikat, Rose Nevin's 5-footer, and Lucca Lowenberg's 3-pointer. Melody Rafan swished a shot from beyond the arc with 31 seconds left, as the Bear Cubs held an 18-7 lead by the end of the quarter.
The Bear Cubs tallied the first seven points of the second quarter on one free throw by Meredith Gilbertson, Ashleigh Barr's putback, and two putbacks by Meredith Gilbertson. Julia Wright made one free throw, and then Ashleigh Barr hit a 10-footer off an assist from Sheriene Arikat. Wright again was fouled on a shot attempt and this time made both free throws. During the next 37 seconds Arikat and Ciarah Michalik each sank one free throw. With 4:48 on the clock Arikat caught a line drive assist pass from Reese Searcy almost under the basket and somehow got the shot up and in. After Barr drew a shooting foul and made both free throws, Genesis Ernie-Hamilton recorded the Falcons' last point of the quarter on one free throw with 3:26 left. The Bear Cubs added nine more points on Barr's 10-footer, two driving layups by Arikat, and Lanie Lincoln's 3-pointer for a 42-11 halftime lead.
Ciarah Michalik attempted the first shot of the third quarter and drained the 3-pointer. Janae Jackson made two baskets about a minute apart for the Falcons. The Bear Cubs then scored the next six points on two out of four free throws by Ciarah Michalik, Lucca Lowenberg's steal and layup, and a steal and layup by Sheriene Arikat for a 51-15 margin at the 3:40 mark. Fourteen seconds later Melody Rafan swished her second 3-pointer of the game. Alex Ditizio made one free throw, and Rose Nevin muscled in a 4-footer before Rafan made one free throw. With 17 seconds left Taylor Iacopi drew a shooting foul and made one free throw to put the Bear Cubs ahead 55-19.
The Falcons were the first to add points onto the scoreboard with a pair of free throws by Genesis Ernie-Hamilton after 15 seconds of play in the fourth quarter. The Bear Cubs committed unforced turnovers and missed a couple of shots before Ciarah Michalik's assist to Ashleigh Barr next to the basket at the 7:22 mark. Twenty seconds later Julia Wright made a field goal. On the Bear Cubs' next possession, Michalik attempted a 3-pointer from the far left which bounced off the rim to the right. Meredith Gilbertson chased down the rebound near the sideline and alertly snapped a pass to Michalik, who was cutting across the key. Michalik caught the pass on the right side of the hoop and banked in the shot on the run as she was being fouled. She sank the and-one free throw with 6:48 on the clock. During the remainder of the period, Jade Dickson hit a 2-pointer and a 3-pointer, and Dominique Eaglin scored inside and made one of two free throws with 1:09 remaining. Meanwhile Ashleigh Barr made both of her free throws, Marlana Sawyer drained a 3-pointer, Lucca Lowenberg also swished a 3-pointer, and Rose Nevin scored on a low post move to cap the scoring on the Bear Cubs' 70-31 win.
The Falcons, who came into the game averaging nearly 54 points per game, struggled on offense against the Bear Cubs' aggressive defensive half court pressure. The only made 10 out of 55 shots (18.2%) and committed 26 turnovers, including two 30-second shot clock violations. The Bear Cubs outrebounded their opponents 56-42. The Bear Cubs capitalized on four out of their 18 offensive rebounds, while the Falcons did not put back any of their 11. Melody Rafan led the Falcons in scoring with 7 points. Jade Dickson scored 5 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Ashleigh Barr posted her fourth double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ciarah Michalik recorded her first double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sheriene Arikat scored a season-high 12 points. For the second game in a row all 11 Bear Cubs scored. Lucca Lowenberg added 8 points, Meredith Gilbertson 7, Rose Nevin 6, Lanie Lincoln, Reese Searcy, and Marlana Sawyer 3 each, and Taylor Iacopi and Alex Ditizio 1 each. Sheriene Arikat made 5 steals and Ashleigh Barr blocked 3 shots.