By Hugo Vera — Staff Writer
San Jose State University women’s basketball team played a long-awaited rematch when they visited the University of San Francisco Dons on Friday night, but fell, 85-63.
During their last matchup with the West Coast Conference powerhouse team, the Spartans fell to the Dons 79-71 at the Event Center despite having a first-half lead.
Emotions ran heavy in the War Memorial Gymnasium as players and fans partook in a moment of silence in remembrance of the recent massacre in Thousand Oaks, CA.
The first half became a war of the three pointers as a field goal by Dons guards Shannon Powell and Veronica Preciado went 2-0 for their first quarter field goals.
The Spartans responded in turn with two 3-pointers made by sophomore guard Megan Anderson. The Spartan offense struggled however, with a recurring streak of incomplete passes in the paint that led to the Dons taking the first quarter 19-14.
“This is why you play preseason. When you only score just four points in 10 minutes, you have to refocus on zoning and offense,” said Spartans head coach Jamie Craighead.
The Spartan defense found great difficulty in slowing down Powell and Dons forward Lucija Kostic.
The Spartan offense continued to falter with a total of seven missed field goals in the second quarter. Sophomore forward Cydni Lewis forced a notable turnover and then layup but the duo of Powell and Preciado continued to drive up the line and combined for nine layups.
Entering the second half trailing 34-18, Spartan guard Analyss Benally resuscitated the team’s offense with a 3-pointer that was immediately followed by a layup by teammate and center Alexis Harris.
Benally, who set the freshman record for threes last season, contributed another field goal late in the third. Benally’s shot accuracy however was still not enough to stop a series of line drives made by Preciado and Dons forward Moa Lundqvist who went 5-3 in the paint.
“A lot of our rotating was late,”Benally said. “We have a lot of kinks we need to work out and tonight we mentally weren’t there. We were mentally defeated and we can’t go in with that mindset anymore.”
The fourth quarter proved relentless for the Spartans as Preciado and Powell continued to rain threes and were nearly flawless at the free throw line. With the Spartans almost scoring nothing in the last eight minutes of play, the Dons took their home opener win.
“We just have to set the pace offensively when we go up against Portland State,” Benally said. “We’re going to bring a new zoning game and we’re definitely going to stop giving them turnovers.”
The Spartans continue their Veterans Day road play on Sunday when they visit the Portland State Vikings.
Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
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