The Santa Rosa Junior College women’s basketball team (13-6) fought hard and prevailed after a slow start against Modesto Junior College (10-9), 65-59 on Friday, Jan. 17 at Haehl Pavilion.
The Bear Cubs started the first quarter with an exchange of field goals and personal fouls with Modesto. Freshman forward Kaia Eubanks and sophomore guard Ivy Gonzalez split 12 of the 13 points made in the first quarter with Eubanks scoring eight to Gonzalez’s four. Sophomore guard Lindsey Arellano added one on free throws as well.
The Pirates got hot to open the second quarter with two consecutive three-pointers from guard Siena Musson. The Bear Cubs responded quickly and played lockdown defense on Musson who missed her next three 3-point attempts.
The second quarter went scoreless for nearly two minutes before Gonzalez came through with a jumpshot. SRJC slowly took the lead with Gonzalez leading the way with eight points, along with help from Eubanks as well as freshmen Sydney Martin and Hailey Webb, Santa Rosa ended the half ahead 31-27.
Head coach Lacey Campbell commended the team for their efforts to get ahead of Modesto during Friday’s matchup.
“We knew they were going to do things that would be tough for us,” she said. “I thought the third quarter really separated us; coming out and being physical – being aggressive. That was the big difference for us.”
The Bear Cubs continued to put pressure on Modesto in the third quarter, scoring 19 points to the Pirates’ 14. Modesto’s energy began to waver after Webb banked two three-pointers on either end of a six-point run by Eubanks. Santa Rosa finished the third quarter with a steal from Gonzalez on a loose pass from Modesto guard Sara Davis to forward/center Kayla Ogle. Gonzalez drove a layup in before drawing a foul to finish the three-point play, ending the third quarter with the Bear Cubs leading 50-41.
Modesto fought back in the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback. Gonzalez opened the quarter with a three-pointer which Modesto then answered with seven straight. In another exchange between the teams, the Bear Cubs answered each Pirate basket with another of their own, despite the physical nature of play that was taking place.
“I think that myself as well as our team has learned to stay composed and together during those physical games,” Gonzalez said. “Not only taking what the defense gives us but making sure we get to our spots and hit those shots we practice day in and day out.”
With time expiring, Modesto fouled Gonzalez three times near the end of the fourth quarter Gonzalez went on to shoot 6-7 from the free throw line despite heckling from opposing fans.
“I just mainly tried to block it all out and focus on the present moment,” Gonzalez said. “Ironically enough, I really try not to think much during games and just listen to my instincts, but if I do feel myself straying away from the moment, I’m sure to take a quick deep breath to gather myself again.”
Gonzalez had a monster night, putting up a total of 27 points with five rebounds. Eubanks added 24 points and six rebounds. Together, Gonzalez and Eubanks scored 51 of the 65 points for Santa Rosa.
Other notable performances included Webb with seven points and four rebounds, and Martin who recorded four points, four rebounds, four assists and four blocks.
On the season, Gonzalez leads the Big 8 conference in scoring with 22.6 points-per-game, and is fourth in the state.
The Bear Cubs next game is on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at American River College before returning home on Friday, Jan. 24 to play San Joaquin Delta at 5:30 p.m. in Haehl Pavilion.
