Angwin, Calif. – The women's basketball team defeated Pacific Union College 60-57 to clinch at least the No. 3 seed in next weekend's Cal Pac Championship Tournament. It's the second consecutive year the Golden Eagles women's basketball team has qualified for postseason play.
The two teams a relatively even first half, with the Golden Eagles struggling to find some offensive consistency, yet settling for a slim 25-24 lead.
The Pioneers quickly erased the one point lead with a basket to start the second half. The Golden Eagles then used a 10-5 run to push out to a 35-31 lead in the opening minutes of the half.
By the midway point of the second half La Sierra extended their lead to 45-38 on two made free throws by Afolake Akingba. Soon after, Faith Fantroy connected on one of her three field goals, pushing the lead to 49-40, the largest lead of the night for the Golden Eagles.
But over the next five minutes of play, the Pioneers erased the nine-point advantage with the help of a 10-1 run, tying the score at 50-50 with 4:03 to play.
After the two teams exchanged baskets, Tina Fantroy knocked down one of her three three-point field goals to take a 55-52 lead.
With just under a minute to play, the Pioneers DaMonique Davis was fouled on a made three-point shot and completed the four-point play by knocking down the free throw and vaulting the Pioneers into the lead, 56-55, on one play.
On the subsequent possession, Tina Fantroy's three-point attempt rimmed in-and-out, while Davis tracked down the free throw and immediately sent to the free throw line.
Fortunate for the Golden Eagles, Davis missed both attempts. After a La Sierra timeout, the Golden Eagles were able to break the Pioneers full court pressure which allowed Faith Fantroy a lane that she attacked, finishing at the basket while being fouled on the play. Fantroy's made free throw completed the three-point play and gave the lead back to La Sierra, 58-56, with :36 seconds remaining.
After a Pioneers timeout, they got the ball into the hands of their leading scorer Amber Washington who attacked the basket to her left and seemingly looked to have committed a charge on the drive to the basket. Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles, the official saw it the other way, calling the blocking foul on La Sierra, sending Washington to the line. Washington made one of two shots, cutting the lead to 58-57.
Tina Fantroy was immediately fouled and calmly hit both free throws, pushing the lead to 60-57. The Pioneers did have a shot at the buzzer that sailed off target and gave the Golden Eagles a playoff clinching victory.
Tina Fantroy led all scorers with 19 points in addition to six rebounds and three steals. Faith Fantroy added 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Kristen Brummett rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The victory clinched at least the No. 3 seed in the upcoming conference tournament for the women's basketball team. A win in their regular season finale, at Menlo College, on Saturday night would vault them into the No. 2 spot, but would not change their opponent. With final seeding, yet to be determined, the Golden Eagles will play California Maritime Academy, next Sunday evening, at 4pm.
With one game left in the regular season, the women's basketball team pushed their Cal Pac record to 5-4 (9-15 overall).
