Box Score

ATHERTON, CA – Menlo Women's Basketball put on a show for their home crowd on Saturday with a thrilling 65-61 victory over the Seawolves of Sonoma State in their home opener. In front of an energetic audience, the Oaks overcame a halftime deficit, showcasing their grit, teamwork, and precision shooting to notch their first home win of the season at Haynes-Prim Pavilion. It was another quality outing for the Oaks against a challenging opponent. 

 

Cooper and Frisch Show

Menlo's victory was driven by standout performances from Jesni Cooper and Alberte Frisch, complemented by key contributions from Jordyn Rosette, Aliya Hunter, and Jayonnah Carter:

• Jesni Cooper - played a pivotal role in Menlo's victory, scoring 15 points, including two clutch three-pointers that energized the team. She also tallied 5 assists and 5 steals. Her performance at the free-throw line was exceptional, going 5-for-6 and sealing the game in critical moments.

• Alberte Frisch - led the Oaks with 16 points, demonstrating her efficiency by shooting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. She also contributed 5 rebounds and 5 steals, fueling Menlo's defensive pressure throughout the game. Under the spotlight, she was perfect at the free-throw line, going 4-for-4 in high-pressure situations.

• Jordyn Rosette - instrumental on the boards, grabbing 5 rebounds, including key offensive rebounds late in the game that helped maintain Menlo's momentum. She added 7 points to the scoreboard and contributed a crucial steal during the third quarter comeback.

• Aliya Hunter - provided a defensive spark off the bench with 2 steals and 2 rebounds, showcasing her hustle and grit. She also scored a timely basket in the fourth quarter that extended Menlo's lead at a critical juncture.

• Jayonnah Carter - chipped in 8 points, including a vital second-chance bucket that gave Menlo an edge. She also grabbed 2 rebounds and held her own in the paint, battling Sonoma's frontcourt with determination.

 

Thrilling Second Half Secures Menlo Victory

The game at Haynes-Prim Pavilion was a rollercoaster, with the Oaks battling back after a tightly contested first half. Sonoma State jumped out early, using strong inside play and sharp shooting to take a 33-29 halftime lead. Despite trailing, Menlo displayed resilience and came out of the locker room with renewed energy in the third quarter.

Led by Alberte Frisch and Jesni Cooper, the Oaks turned up their defensive pressure. Frisch's back-to-back steals and transition layups helped Menlo erase the deficit, and Cooper's clutch three-pointer late in the quarter gave the Oaks their first lead since the opening minutes. The Oaks outscored Sonoma 18-9 in the third quarter, fueled by hustle plays and timely offensive rebounds that shifted the momentum firmly in Menlo's favor.

In the final quarter, Menlo's balanced effort proved decisive. While Sonoma made several pushes to narrow the gap, the Oaks responded with clutch plays on both ends of the floor. Jordyn Rosette and Frisch secured critical rebounds, while Cooper and Frisch delivered key free throws in the game's closing moments. Menlo's sharp shooting from beyond the arc and dominance in creating turnovers were pivotal, as the Oaks hit 41.7% of their three-point attempts and forced 19 turnovers that led to 25 points. Sonoma State put up a valiant fight, but they couldn't overcome Menlo's energy and execution down the stretch. The Oaks' second-half dominance thrilled the home crowd and secured their first home win of the season in dramatic fashion.

 

Up Next….

The Oaks are back on the road again for a local non-conference matchup against the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay. Tip off is at 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 19th!