Riverside, Calif. – The Walla Walla women's basketball team begun their three-game road trip with a matchup against fellow Seventh Day Adventist rival, La Sierra University. This was the first matchup since both schools have become NAIA members. The Wolves took a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter, but could not close out the game, losing 54-50.
THE BASICS:
Final: Walla Walla 50, La Sierra 54
Records: La Sierra (5-4), Walla Walla (1-4)
GAME NOTES:
- Both teams started out cold, as both teams stayed on zero until Jaliyah Casem made the game's first field goal at the 4:14 minute mark. The Eagles would come back and take a 16-9 lead after the opening quarter.
- The Wolves started the second quarter on a 4-0 run while holding the Eagles scoreless for the first three minutes of the quarter. The Eagles extended their lead out to five at 20-15 before the Wolves cut into the deficit and eventually took the lead into halftime 23-22 after Jacqueline Saucedo converted a layup on the Wolves last possession of the half.
- The Wolves extended their lead early into the third after a 5-0 run. La Sierra responded with a run of their own, but the Wolves responded with another run of their own and took a 40-33 lead heading into the final quarter.
- The Wolves scored their 42nd point at the 9:36 mark and would sit on that score for four-plus minutes, as the Eagles used the Wolves cold streak to reclaim the lead 48-42. The Wolves battled back to a one-possession game, but could not capitalize. Two Lauren Smith free-throws gave the Eagles a slight lead at 54-48, but the time was against the Wolves and they ran out of time, eventually falling in a close game, 54-50.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Jaliyah Casem and her game-high 14 led the Wolves, while Sierra Cole led the Eagles with 10.
- The Wolves struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 5-14 for a season-low 35-percent, while the Eagles shot 23-33 for the game.
- The Wolves dropped in 36 points in the paint and limited the Eagles to 20.
- The Wolves forced the Eagles into a season-high 26 turnovers, scoring only 12 points off those turnovers.
NEXT GAME:
The Wolves continue their road trip tomorrow evening, as they travel to take on Point Loma Nazarene University (2-2) in San Diego, Calif. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
Wolves Athletics: ¦
Facebook ¦
Instagram