Atherton, CA-As the first weekend of the new year gets underway, Menlo Women's Basketball will be enjoying their Sunday off with a 2-0 record in conference play. After a resounding win over ACU on Thursday, Menlo made sure to take care of business against the visiting OUAZ Spirit. Coach Spataro's team was dominant in multiple statistical categories including grabbing 53 rebounds, forcing 28 turnovers and attempted a staggering 42 free throws. It was a complete effort for the Oaks with four players scoring in double figures!

Strong Showing at the Charity Stripe

As mentioned before, Menlo earned 42 free throws for the duration of the game thanks to their aggressive, constant attacks on the rim. Kiara Brown would hit nine free throws enroute to a game high 27 points and 12 rebounds. The Spirit had no answer for Brown in the boat as both an offensive threat and rebounder. Brown would actually pull down nine of her 12 boards on offense leading to prolonged possessions and fouls against the Spirit.

The guard duo of Shay Boley and Alberte Frisch also were very dynamic as downhill drivers who constantly put pressure on the basket. Boley was a stellar 9-10 from the free throw line but also impacted the game in a variety of other ways. She was also an effective rebounder with six boards and had a team high three assists. Frisch is arguably the Oaks most crafty finisher at the rim and on 12 attempts hit 10 free throws. 

Oaks Defense Stands Up Tall

While the offense looked good, the team's defense was locked in from the tip. As a team OUAZ would only shoot 38.5% from the floor and from three. Menlo has been a solid defense team this year but really dominated the various statistical categories on the less glamorous end. They won the rebounding battle 53-35 thanks to 29 combined rebounds from Menlo's starting forwards Brown, Jasmyne Huggins and Jordyn Rosette. 

They also came up with 12 steals with Brown, Boley, Rosette each recording two while Huggins led the way with four steals on the night.

Up Next…

With the first week of conference play now in the books Menlo Women's Basketball has now won four straight and has picked up two convincing wins to start the conference portion of their schedule. The Oaks will now head out on the road with away games against Hope International and Vanguard on the schedule. These two teams represent the last GSAC squads that Menlo played last year. The Oaks upset Vanguard in the semifinals of the GSAC conference tournament and would fall against Hope in the conference championship game. Vanguard in particular will be a great test for Menlo with the Lions currently ranked as the #10 team in the NAIA.