By Alexis Corona – Spear Reporter | Sophomore guard Rylei Waugh in a defensive stance against University of California on November 09 (photo by Alexis Corona – The Spear)
San Jose State women’s basketball (1-1, 0-0 MW) had its first defeat of the season in a 82-53 match against The University of California (3-0, 0-0 ACC) on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Bears got off to a fast start in the first quarter and never looked back.
SJSU quickly trailed 23-13 after the first quarter, shooting 29% from the field.
“We didn’t come out as aggressive as we wanted to,” junior forward Finau Tonga said. “It took us a little time to really pick up where we wanted to be.”
Tonga led the Spartans in scoring with 12 points while grabbing seven rebounds.
The Spartans’ inability to hit shots in the first half and allowing opportunities for the Golden Bears to score in the paint resulted in a 51-28 deficit by halftime.
“I think we didn’t have the defensive effort as far as straight line drives that we did at Xavier,” SJSU head coach April Phillips said.
SJSU finished the game shooting 33% from the field and 25% from three-point range.
The Spartans had trouble defending Golden Bears guard Kayla Williams from the three-point line.
Williams finished with 16 points on an efficient 6-11 shooting from the field and made three three-point shots.
SJSU did have some positive things to take from this contest in the fourth quarter. They would outscore Cal 19-12, shooting 50% from the field.
“I think we just came out more aggressive,” Tonga said. “We came out with nothing to lose, so I think that was the major factor.”
Phillips was proud of the competitive spirit in the second half against Cal and believes this game was a good measuring stick for the team going forward.
“They’re a very talented team [Cal], but I think it was a good test for us to get an opportunity to see the level of physicality that we can face down the line,” Phillips said.
SJSU will look to get its first win at home against San Francisco State University scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.
