SRJC 59, Merced College 52
The Bear Cubs (7-0) traveled to Fresno for the four-team Fresno Crossover Tournament in which they faced Merced College (5-5) the first day while Fresno (7-2) hosted Sierra College (5-2). Merced's post player, Malaysia Lucero, scored the first two points of the contest by muscling the shot in near the hoop. Thirty seconds later Ashleigh Barr's putback tied the score. The Bear Cubs made their next three shots in a row—Ciarah Michalik's steal and layup, and two layups by Meredith Gilbertson on assists from Reese Searcy and Barr. Jordyn Allison's 3-point play with 6:27 on the clock cut the Bear Cubs' lead to 8-5. Barr sank a 15-footer to get the Bear Cubs to 10. The Blue Devils tallied the next five points on two free throws by Lucero and a 3-pointer by Amaya Ervin to tie the score at the halfway point of the quarter. The Bear Cubs scored the next five points on Rose Nevin's 2-footer, one free throw by Michalik, and Barr's 1-footer on an assist from Michalik. The Blue Devils added two more points on Khya Martin's 4-footer. With 15 seconds left, Barr cut down the key and caught Meredith Gilbertson's assist pass next to the basket to end the period ahead 17-12.
It took nearly two minutes for Lucca Lowenberg to register the first points of the second quarter on a long 3-pointer. The Blue Devils drew two shooting fouls in a row and made all four free throws. Lowenberg drove across the key and sank a one-footed shot from the middle of the key with 4:44 on the clock. Ervin made a field goal 66 seconds later. The Bear Cubs put together a 9-0 run, which included Lowenberg's 3-pointer, Sheriene Arikat's 12-footer, Meredith Gilbertson's steal and layup, and Lanie Lincoln's putback at the 1:30 mark, for a 31-18 lead. The Blue Devils finished the period with a 3-footer by Lucero and a basket by A'ajah Slocum with three seconds left to make their halftime deficit 22-31.
Slocum started the scoring in the third quarter with a 3-pointer after just 23 seconds. The Bear Cubs answered with the next five points on Ashleigh Barr's 10-footer, Meredith Gilbertson's cut and layup on Reese Searcy's assist, and one free throw by Ciarah Michalik. Martin sank a field goal, and then Searcy threw a long pass to Michalik, who finished the fast break with a layup at the 6:34 mark. Eighty-four seconds later Lucca Lowenberg cut into the key and caught the assist from Ashleigh Barr. Ervin drained a 3-pointer, Lucero made one free throw, and Ervin a field goal with 2:50 on the clock to close the gap to 33-39. During the remainder of the period Searcy sank one free throw, and Sheriene Arikat hit a 10-footer with one second left, while the Blue Devils added two free throws by Lucero, for a 42-35 Bear Cub lead.
Mahiro Oyama sank a 15-footer 45 seconds into the fourth quarter. With 7:50 on the clock, Lanie Lincoln scored the Bear Cubs' first points of the period when she cut across the baseline from the right, caught the pass from Ashleigh Barr on the left side of the basket but facing out. She flipped the ball back over her head and through the hoop. Four shot attempts later, Barr hit an 8-footer on an assist from Lincoln. The Blue Devils made two baskets in a row before Ashleigh Barr sank one from the middle of the key. A basket by Martin with 4:50 left put the score at 43-48. Lucca Lowenberg made a 15-footer off of Meredith Gilbertson's assist at the 3:54 mark. After Ervin drew a shooting foul and made just the second free throw, the Bear Cubs called a timeout with 3:28 left and holding 50-44 lead. When play resumed the Bear Cubs missed their shot attempt and Ervin scored to get to 46-50. Lowenberg swished a 3-pointer, and then Ervin made one free throw with 2:21 remaining. Ashleigh Barr's 3-pointer with 1:19 to go widened the lead to 56-47. The Blue Devils called a timeout and advanced the ball. Ervin eventually got open and drained a 3-pointer. The Bear Cubs turned the ball over and with 25 seconds left, Martin scored a basket to get to 52-56. The Bear Cubs called a timeout and advanced the ball. Coach Campbell drew up a sidelines inbounds play and Ciarah Michalik made a long cross-court pass over defenders to Barr, who got open on the right side of the basket. Barr made the 1-footer and was also fouled. She made the and-one free throw with 24 seconds on the clock. The Blue Devils missed their shot attempt, Barr rebounded, and the Bear Cubs ran out the clock on their 59-52 win.
The Blue Devils' trapping defense gave the Bear Cubs problems, contributing to the 21 turnovers and keeping the game close. Three Blue Devils scored in double figures—A'ajah Slocum with 15 and Malaysia Lucero and Amaya Ervin with 11 each.
Ashleigh Barr led the Bear Cubs with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Lucca Lowenberg made three 3-pointers and totaled 15 points. Meredith Gilbertson added 8 points, Ciarah Michalik 5, Sheriene Arikat and Lanie Lincoln 4 each, Rose Nevin 2, and Reese Searcy 1. Reese Searcy passed for a season-high 7 assists and Ciarah Michalik 6.