After their dominating 104-55 exhibition win against Cal State Los Angeles on Nov. 11 the Waves came back to continue their streak on Friday beating the Cal Poly SLO Mustangs 79-72.
Unfortunately the Waves weren’t able to keep things rolling against the UCLA Bruins on the road Tuesday night losing for the first time this season. “I feel like we played really hard and put in a good effort said Freshman forward Alex Jarrol. But there were definitely things we could have done better. “We’re going to work extra hard in practice to make sure we improve next game.”
In the game against Cal Poly the Mustangs took an early 10-6 lead five minutes into game but it didn’t last for long as the first half had six lead changes.
The first lead change came when sophomore guard Katie Menton entered the game and scored a three pointer to tie the game 13-13. She scored another three shortly after giving the Waves a 17-16 lead.
With about seven minutes left in the half the Waves were able to increase their lead by four. But a 4-0 scoring run by the Mustangs brought the game back to a 24-24 tie.
The Waves responded with a 25-4 scoring run ending the half with a 48-31 lead.
It appeared the Waves had lost some of their momentum when the Mustangs started the second half with a 12-0 scoring run closing the Waves lead to six points. They continued to pressure the Waves and were able to bring the score within three at 53-50.
A 9-0 scoring run for the Waves started by two free throws by senior forward Alisha Bryant put the Waves up 62-50. Once again the Mustangs responded with a scoring run of their own bringing them within three points for the second time in the half.
Junior forward/center Miranda Ayim took it upon herself to pull the Waves ahead scoring eight consecutive points including two three pointers giving the Waves a five-point lead with 4:19 left to play.
The Mustangs fought hard but were unable to gain another lead. Senior guard Nakeya Isabell scored the five final points of the game capping off the Waves’ season opener 79-72.
“The game wasn’t as clean a win as we wanted Ayim said. But we got the job done and started the season off with a win.”
In the Waves’ game on Bruins were leading by seven shortly after the tip. Sophomore guard Katie Menton known for her ability to make shots behind the arc off the bench entered the game and hit a three point shot that started a small 5-0 run by the Waves closing the seven-point gap to just two.
The Waves had two opportunities to take the lead but missed free throws kept them from doing so until 3:19 left in the game. The lead quickly changed back when the Bruins executed a full-court press.
The Waves would bring the game back to within five near the end but were never able to take the lead. Regulation ended with the score at 55-66.
The team will hit the road for their next match traveling to Flagstaff Ariz. to take on Northern Arizona.