SRJC 42, San Joaquin Delta 62
The Bear Cubs (2-0) took on the host Mustangs (2-0), ranked as the top team in the North, for the championship of the San Joaquin Delta Jocelyn Mancebo Classic Tournament. The home team was successful on their first shot attempt of the contest. Kaia Eubanks tied the score with a drive to the hoop from just below the free throw line. The Mustangs sank their next two shots in a row. The Bear Cubs edged ahead 7-6 on one free throw by Elle Picard, her cut to the basket and assist by Eubanks, and Jordan Washington's 1-footer off of another Eubanks' pass at the 6:32 mark. The Mustangs retook the lead for good with a 10-0 run, including two 3-pointers, for a 16-7 lead with 4:18 on the clock. The Bear Cubs added six more points in the quarter on Eubanks' 1-footer off of Sydney Martin's assist, Washington's drive that started from the wing and ended with a reverse spin to bank in a leaning 3-footer, and her two free throws with 51 seconds left. The Mustangs ended the period by making three out of four free throws for a 19-13 advantage.
The Mustangs made two field goals in the opening two minutes of the second quarter. The Bear Cubs missed their first six shots before Kaia Eubanks' 3-point play on a cut to the basket and pass from Hailey Webb who was on the ground regaining control of the ball with 4:31 on the clock. The Mustangs added a 3-pointer and one of two free throws. After Jordan Washington made one of two free throws, Bella Perry made a 12-footer for the hosts with 2:16 left. The Bear Cubs escaped the Mustangs' pressure, Elle Picard caught the ball along the left baseline, and sank the 8-foot fade-away shot 16 seconds later. Janay Holmes drained her second 3-pointer from straight ahead, and then Jordan Washington hit a 15-footer. Jakayla Gilmer's field goal pushed the Mustangs' margin to 34-21. Elle Picard scored the final point of the period when she sank one of two free throws with two seconds left, making their deficit 22-34 by halftime.
The Bear Cubs had the ball to start the third quarter, and Kaia Eubanks scored on a baseline drive. Jordan Washington took the Bear Cubs' second shot and banked in a 2-footer off of Elle Picard's lob pass into the low post. Aaliyah Youngblood swished a 3-pointer at the 7:10 mark, and Fajr Cuthbertson put in two free throws 21 seconds later. Kaia Eubanks drew a shooting foul and made just the second free throw. During the remaining 6:26, the Bear Cubs only added Caitlin Baldwin's 3-pointer and two free throws by Jordan Washington. The Mustangs tallied eight points on two field goals and four free throws to extend their lead to 47-32.
The Mustangs scored the first two points of the fourth quarter on free throws by Fajr Cuthbertson. Kaia Eubanks completed a 3-point play on a drive that ended with a reverse spin. The Mustangs recorded six more points before Jordan Washington's fast break layup in stride after catching Elle Picard's 46-foot crosscourt lead pass from just past half court at the 4:52 mark. The Mustangs tacked on seven more points in the final minutes, while the Bear Cubs could only add four points on Sydney Martin's two trips to the free throw line. The Mustangs earned the Championship plaque with a dominant 62-42 victory.
The Mustangs' full-court pressure defense the entire game limited the Bear Cubs to 14 out of 46 shots (30%) and led to 21 turnovers. The Mustangs made 19 out of 47 shots (40%), with six of them from beyond the arc. Eight Mustangs scored, and two of them reached double figures—Fajr Cuthbertson with 17 and Aaliyah Youngblood 11.
Jordan Washington led the Bear Cubs with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Kaia Eubanks also reached double figures with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Elle Picard added 6 points, Sydney Martin 5, Caitlin Baldwin 3, and Hailey Webb 1. Jordan Washington and Elle Picard were selected to the All-Tournament team.