The Pioneer women took care of business on Friday night,
December 5, as they edged the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs in
overtime, 62-58 (boxscore), during the
Pioneer Classic at Cal State East Bay.
The Pioneers held a solid lead the entire first half, shooting
47.8% from the floor, 50% from three-point range and 87.5% from the
free throw line. The Pioneers had complete control and were able to
dictate the first 20 minutes of play. Holding the Banana Slugs to
just 28.6% shooting, the Pioneers were ahead 31-24 at halftime.
After the Pioneers extended their lead to 14 points in the second
half, they would allow a 17-point Banana Slug comeback. The Slugs
were able to shift the momentum of the game in their favor as the
Pioneers struggled to score in the final five minutes of regulation
play. The Slugs took a 3-point lead with just 17 seconds remaining
in the game, forcing the Pioneers to take a time-out with
possession of the ball. Out of the time-out, the Pioneers were able
to find two points on a Christina Herring (So., San Dimas, Calif.)
drive in the first six seconds and immediately called another
time-out. The Pioneers then fouled, sending the Slugs to the line
with 11 seconds remaining. The Slugs made the first foul shot, and
missed the second, putting the Pioneers down by just two points.
Regaining possession on the Banana Slug miss, the Pioneers quickly
transitioned, finding Megan Spence (Fr., Kingston, Wash.) for an
open shot from the three-point line, which resulted in a miss and a
rebound by Herring (So., San Dimas, Calif.), who then laid it in
for two points. As regulation play expired, the game was tied
at 54-54 entering the five-minute overtime period.
In the first two minutes of overtime, the Slugs came out ahead,
but the Pioneers would tie it up with three minutes to go. By the
1:00 mark, the score was again tied, as Kim Kittell was sent to the
free throw line. After sinking both foul shots, the Pioneers held a
two point lead, before regaining possession on a defensive stop.
The Slugs were forced to foul, sending Kim Kittell back to the free
throw line, scoring both again. The Pioneers outscored the Slugs
8-4 in the overtime period.
The Pioneers received double-digit scoring from four different
players. Kim Kittell (Jr., Tillamook, Ore.) led the Pioneers for
the second game in a row as she captured her first double-double of
the season, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 boards. Dowling
(Fr., Burlingame, Calif.) logged her second consecutive and career
double-double, with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Talerra Rich (Jr.,
Los Alamos, N.M.) added 13 points and eight rebounds before fouling
out with three minutes remaining. Christina Herring chipped in 11
points for the Pioneers.
With the win, L&C improves to 3-3 overall. The win was the
Pioneers' third in a row, as they head into their matchup
against CSU East Bay Saturday night, December 6, at 7:00 pm.
