Atherton, CA-It was a great day to be an Oak as Menlo Women's Basketball not only picked up their 10th straight victory but they hosted an Alumni Appreciation Day that saw familiar faces return home to Haynes-Prim Pavilion for food, nostalgia and Menlo hoops! When it was all said and done, it was another impressive outing for coach Shannon Spataro's team as they not only managed a 21 point victory but once again found themselves closing in on scoring 90 points yet again!
Big Performances Across the Board
As has been the case during this winning streak, the Oaks saw multiple players put up big numbers and make key plays all game long. Leading the team in scoring would be senior forward Kiara Brown with a team high 20 points. Brown scored with a variety of post moves and dribble drives. As has been the case during her stellar career, the Warriors simply had no answer for Brown all game long. She would score four or more points in three of the four quarters of play. On top of her scoring output, she grabbed another 10 rebounds which was good for her ninth double-double on the year! On top of the offensive output as a scorer she also added three assists as a secondary playmaker.
Fellow senior Jasmyne Huggins has continued to thrive in her starting role with another 18 points to go along with six rebounds. Huggins has evolved her offensive game to become a well rounded scoring threat that is not just finishing at the rim but now stretching defenses with her midrange jumpshot. On top of her scoring Huggins continues to be a strong rebounder who is also turning into a dangerous defensive stopper.
Jordyn Rosette and Aliya Hunter would round out the Oaks double digit scorers with 12 points a piece. The Aliya Hunter breakout season is in full swing and she scored in double figures for her second straight outing. The most impressive element of her season has to be the scorching hot hand she has maintained when shooting from beyond the arc. For the year she is now shooting 48% from three thanks to a stellar 50% showing against the Warriors as she knocked down two of four shots from deep. Rosette has also continued to play at an All-Conference level. While she may have only scored 12 points this game she stuffed the boxscore in almost every imaginable way. She grabbed five rebounds, was second on the team with four assists and once again dominated the Warriors defensively. Her three blocks and a steal mark the eighth time this year that she has combined for at least four "stocks" (a basketball term for a player's combined blocks and steals). In other words, Rosette has unlocked a level of impact that is usually reserved for the top players in the GSAC.
Up Next…
After another 2-0 week of play the Oaks will now be hitting the road once again with a trip to Arizona on deck. The Oaks will travel to take on both Arizona Christian and OUAZ who were the first two teams to fall to the Oaks as conference play began. Earlier this year the Oaks defeated ACU by 34 points and they were able to pull out the win against OUAZ by 11 points. Having won seven of their past eight games by double figures, the Oaks will now keep that momentum into a critical road trip!
Menlo College is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). To learn more about Menlo Athletics visit www.menloathletics.com or follow Menlo Athletics on Instagram (@menloathletics), X (@MenloAthletics) or Facebook (Menlo College Athletic).
