Riverside, Calif. - After having their winning streak come to an end earlier in the week, the women's basketball team rebounded in a big way by defeating the University of Antelope Valley, 77-75, in Saturday's Cal Pac opener. The Golden Eagles improved to 4-8 overall and used a strong second quarter to overcome a first quarter deficit. The game consisted of six tie scores and seven lead changes.
Antelope Valley wasted no time as they quickly jumped out to a 28-12 lead by the end of the first quarter of play, but La Sierra stormed back by outscoring the Pioneers, 29-12, in the second quarter, to take a 41-40 lead into the halftime break.
The Pioneers finished quarter number three with a slight, 59-57, advantage, but it was the Golden Eagles who completed the comeback to start the conference season with a victory.
The Golden Eagles held the Pioneers to just 29-percent shooting from the field, while themselves connecting on 27-of-58 shot from the field, including 5-of-11 from the 3-point line. The defensive effort helped La Sierra overcome a total of 29 turnovers and a poor shooting night from the free throw line. The Golden Eagles also forced the Pioneers into 22 turnovers resulting in 15 steals on the night, led by Mikayla Stitt who finished with four steals, while Elsie Mejia and Alexis Davis each had three steals.
Davis, notched a double-double, with 16 points and 12 rebounds, with three assists and two blocks in addition to her three steals. Stitt matched Davis with the game-high 16 points of her own and finished with nine rebounds, just one shy of a double-double of her own. Alyssa Estrada shot 4-of-8 from the field and connected on all four of her free throws to finish with 13 points in the game. DeShields Fajardo also finished 4-for-8 from the field, including 3-of-5 from the 3-point line to contribute 11 points along with six rebounds and three assists.
After taking some time off for final exams, the team will return to action on Thursday evening, to host Montana Western University, for a non-conference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.
