The Master's women's basketball team out-scored Jessup University in every quarter to get a critical 76-57 conference win Thursday in The MacArthur Center.
A 15-11 first quarter lead expanded to 32-21 at the half, 51-38 at the end of the third and, behind a 25-point fourth quarter, ended the night with the 19-point win.
The win also secures a spot in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) post-season tournament, which will be held at Menlo College in Atherton, Calif. next week.
"Solid team win for us tonight," said Head Coach Lisa Zamroz. "I felt like everyone contributed at different times throughout the game. We knew we would get (Jessup's) best because of the implications of this week's games."
Despite having the lead at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Mustangs (17-8, 10-7 GSAC) only shot 4 for 15 (27%) from the field in those first 10 minutes. But in each subsequent quarter, the shooting get better, from 42% in the second to 44% in the third and finally 56% in the fourth. All the while holding the Warriors to 37% from the field.
"We have come a long way on the defensive end," Zamroz said. "What started as our biggest weakness has become one of our greatest strengths. That's a testament to our team really taking the challenge to learn man defense again. We've been an all zone team for several years, and the versatility of being able to switch things up is paying off now that we've put in the work."
Belle Hernandez led the scoring with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting and a team-high three 3s. It is the third time in the last seven games Belle has scored 23-or-more points in a game.
Both
Marin Lenz and
Ella Brubaker scored 16 on the night, with Lenz adding a team-high nine rebounds.
Olivia Prettyman scored a season-high eight points.
Madeline Cooke added three more blocks, giving her 103 in her career. The sophomore has now moved into a tie for seventh all-time with Chayan Lowery, and her 48 blocks this season ties her season high from last year.
The regular season will come to an end on Saturday as the team will honor the one graduating player --
Olivia Prettyman. Tip-off is at noon against the Menlo Oaks.
