Aikman Fang (@aikmanfang) – Women’s Basketball Beat Reporter
Head coach April Phillips’ tenure with the San Jose State women’s basketball team could not have started any better in an impressive 81-43 win over Cal State Monterey Bay.
The Spartans hit the ground running with a 14-3 run to start the game. SJSU ended the first quarter with an 18-5 lead and recorded 11 total steals.
16 of the Spartans’ 18 points in the first were generated off turnovers.
Junior guard Jasmine Singleton led all Spartans with four steals at the end of the first. Singleton finished with seven points and six steals in 25 minutes.
The Spartans continued their dominance in the second quarter, garnering 17 steals, and led the Otters 34-17 at halftime. Senior guard Jada Holland led the Spartans with eight points at the intermission.
SJSU started the third quarter with an impressive 7-0 run kickstarted by a 3-pointer from freshman guard Sabrina Ma.
The Spartans scored 26 points to end the third quarter leading the Otters 60-27.
SJSU continued its defensive intensity with seven steals and 12 points off turnovers in the third.
Not taking its foot off the gas pedal, SJSU opened up the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run. The Spartans finished the Otters 81-43 while forcing 36 turnovers.
Holland led all scorers with 19 points, nine of which were in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Forward Amhyia Morelan recorded a double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Graduate guard Aarion Nichols lead the Spartans with 12 rebounds.
SJSU women’s basketball officially kicks off their season next Thursday on the road against Tulsa. Tipoff is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. inside the Reynolds Center.
