SEASIDE, CA – Menlo Women's Basketball marked a historic moment by securing their first official win as a Division II program with a commanding 84-54 victory over the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters at the Kelp Bed on Friday afternoon. The Oaks showcased impressive shooting, with a field goal percentage of 50% as a team, demonstrating their ability to move the ball around and find the best opportunities to score.
Taylor Westbrook Shines in Collegiate Debut
In her first collegiate game and start, freshman forward Taylor Westbrook, a standout from Louisville High School in Los Angeles, CA, made an immediate impact. Westbrook contributed significantly with 12 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting. Adding six rebounds, one assist, and a steal to her stat line, Westbrook demonstrated poise and skill, setting a strong foundation for what promises to be a remarkable career at Menlo.
Alongside Westbook, many other Oaks had some fun on the court. Erin Sellers matched Taylor with 12 points and also contributed 2 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Jayonnah Carter also made her Oak debut and earned 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Mehkia Applewhite led the team with 8 rebounds, 4 each on offense and defense. And Jordyn Rosette picked up right where she left off last season with 4 steals, 2 rebounds, and 9 points.
Oaks Dominate in All Phases of the Game
Menlo's team effort was apparent in their impressive statistics. The Oaks converted 50.7% of their shots (37 of 73) and made a mark on defense with 14 steals, forcing Monterey Bay into 27 turnovers. The Oaks defense was backed up with 39 points off of turnovers. Nearly half of Menlo's points came off of the bench, showing their depth and cohesiveness. They recorded 35 total rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass, to control the boards and generate second-chance points. The Oaks also outscored the Otters in the paint, tallying 52 points and showcasing their strength near the basket. Head Coach Shannon Spataro walks away from this victory extremely proud of her new group of Oaks and is looking forward to developing throughout the PacWest season.
Up Next…
Menlo Women's Basketball will stay the night in Seaside as they prepare for their next faceoff against San Francisco State on Saturday, November 9th at 1pm inside the Kelp Bed!
