The women’s basketball team defeated #8 Sierra College 67-54 at home on Tuesday after tying two quarters.
Head coach Samuel Kirby said the team discussed creating the right defensive mentality before the game.
“We knew we were going to win if we tested every shot, boxed down and got a rebound,” Kirby said. “The players have to buy into it. Those are the winning plays and winning habits that we need to continue to create for the streak we plan on going on.”
The Hawks ended the first quarter behind the Wolverines 16-20.
“I think at the end of the first quarter, we fouled with .7 seconds left,” Kirby said. “I knew it was okay because I knew we were going to correct those mistakes moving forward.”
By the end of the second quarter both teams were tied 29-29 and continued their momentum into the third quarter tied at 44-44.
“One of the things we knew as a team was we needed to get better at coming out after half time, that third quarter,” Kirby said. “When we sat down going into the fourth, I said, ‘Hey we did our job in the third quarter, it’s time to turn it up a little bit.’”
Saray White, sophomore point and shooting guard, scored 25 points during the game as the leading scorer of the game.
“It’s right where I wanted to be; we worked for this. It isn’t going to be easy,” White said. “We practice everyday, we execute and keep going.”
White said her positive attitude, communication and best effort were her strengths during the game.
Sophomore point guard LaKayla Hale said the team makes sure to communicate with purpose.
“You don’t always have to think about what you’re saying, but how you’re saying it and how they will perceive it,” Hale said.
Fans counted the women’s basketball team out after being eliminated in the third round of last season’s 3C2A Conference Playoffs hosted in Los Angeles, Hale said.
“To come and win this game, it definitely put the play into motion for the rest of the season,” Hale said. “It let us know that CRC is not out. We’re not going to let you walk all over us. It’s going to be a dog fight until the end.”