SRJC 54, American River College 45
The Bear Cubs (1-4, 6-11) traveled back to the Sacramento area to challenge the Beavers of American River College (10-7, 2-3). The Beavers scored the first point of the game on a free throw on their opening possession. Lani Lincoln sank the Bear Cubs' first shot--a 3-pointer. Trinity Hawkins' putback a minute later gave the Bear Cubs a 5-1 lead. After over three minutes during which neither team scored, the Beavers banked in their first field goal. The Bear Cubs made two field goals in a row--Kierra Johnson on a baseline inbounds play and Hawkins' steal and layup--for a 9-3 lead with 3:56 on the clock. The Beavers scored three unanswered field goals to tie the game at 9 by the end of the quarter.
The Bear Cubs missed their first shot of the second quarter then made four shots in a row--two outside jumpers by Trinity Hawkins, Kierra Johnson's drive, and Lizbeth Zavala's 3-pointer. Meanwhile the Beavers put in a field goal and two 3-pointers, so by the midpoint of the period the Bear Cubs were only ahead by a single point 18-17. The Bear Cubs missed their next shot and then sank three field goals in a row--two by Hawkins and one by Zavala--for a 24-21 lead at the 2:30 mark. The Beavers tied the score with 1:18 left, and Lani Lincoln's 12-footer 16 seconds later gave the Bear Cubs a 26-24 halftime lead.
The Beavers made the first field goal of the third quarter to tie the score after 61 seconds of play. Trinity Hawkins hit a 6-foot jumper about a minute later. With 6:57 on the clock Lani Lincoln's 3-pointer stretched the Bear Cubs' lead to 31-26. After the Beavers made one free throw, Kierra Johnson scored on a baseline inbounds play and two possessions later on a drive for a 35-27 lead at the 4:50 mark. The Beavers scored inside over a minute later. Hanna Morris got open near the basket, caught the pass from Trinity Hawkins, and banked in the 1-footer. The next time down Kassi Agapoff hit a 15-footer for a 39-29 margin. The Beavers added one free throw, and Marlana Sawyer swished a 3-pointer with 28 seconds left. The Beavers sank a deep field goal with seven seconds remaining to end the period behind 32-42.
Kierra Johnson made one free throw 15 seconds into the fourth quarter. The Beavers tallied the next five points on a field goal and three free throws to close to 37-43 with 7:56 on the clock. Fourteen seconds later Trinity Hawkins hit a 10-footer. The Beavers sank a 4-footer, and then Johnson scored on a drive from the high post at the 5:19 mark. The Beavers went on a 6-0 run on two field goals and two out of four free throws to get to 45-47 with 2:36 remaining. Thirty seconds later Lizbeth Zavala swished a big 3-pointer. The Beavers missed their next shot, and with 1:00 left Johnson banked in a 1-footer. After the Bear Cubs again stopped the Beavers, Kassi Agapoff's 5-footer completed the scoring in the Bear Cubs' 54-45 win.
The Bear Cubs committed 21 turnovers and only got off 58 shots, but they made 24 of them (41.4%). In the second quarter they turned the ball over seven times, but made 8 out of 12 shots (67%). The Bear Cubs played tough defense, limiting the Beavers to 42 shots, of which they made 17 (40.5%). Lizbeth Zavala and Trinity Hawkins held their leading scorer, 5'10" Jordyn Hilliard, who came into the game averaging 20.2 ppg, to 7 points. Only Shanice Daniel scored in double figures with 10. The Bear Cubs only got to the free throw line twice, making 1 out of 3 (33%). The Beavers attempted 16 free throws and made 8 (50%).
Trinity Hawkins led the Bear Cubs in scoring with 16 points. Kierra Johnson posted her 10th double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Lani Lincoln and Lizbeth Zavala both made two 3-pointers and a field goal for 8 points each. Kassi Agapoff added 4 points, Marlana Sawyer 3, and Hanna Morris 2. Lizbeth Zavala and Trinity Hawkins grabbed 7 rebounds each. Lani Lincoln and Kierra Johnson both passed for 5 assists each. Trinity Hawkins blocked a season-high 6 shots.