SEASIDE, CA – Menlo Women's Basketball took their first loss of the season on Saturday, facing a challenging NCAA Division II opponent, the San Francisco State Gators. Despite a valiant effort, the Oaks fell short with a final score of 60-71 inside the Kelp Bed of Cal State Monterey Bay. The Oaks showcased resilience and skill throughout the matchup, demonstrating their potential to compete at high levels against strong opponents.

Frisch's Stellar Performance Highlights Menlo's Determined Effort

Alberte Frisch led the charge for Menlo, delivering a stellar performance that kept the Oaks in contention against the Gators. Frisch tallied 18 points, going 7-13 from the field, including three attempts beyond the arc in just 23 minutes of play. Her ability to drive the offense and create scoring opportunities proved essential in keeping the game close. Frisch also contributed defensively with two steals and pulled down four rebounds, proving her all-around game and dedication on both ends of the court.

In addition to Frisch's contributions, Menlo saw noteworthy efforts from several other key players. Senior Jordyn Rosette scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, including 2 offensive, providing consistent presence on both ends. Mehkia Applewhite also delivered 7 rebounds and 6 points, helping bolster the team's rebounding efforts. Freshman Taylor Westbrook continued her excellence from yesterday's match against Cal State Monterey Bay and contributed 5 rebounds, adding defensive resilience in the paint. Jesni Cooper scored 9 points with strong shot selection and offensive support. To back her up. 

Team Performance & Key Contributors

The Oaks demonstrated solid team play, but San Francisco State's strong performance proved to be the deciding factor. Menlo shot 40.4% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, securing 37 rebounds and forcing 16 turnovers, translating into 12 points off of those turnovers. Yet, the Gators countered with sharp execution, scoring 28 points in the paint and earning 12 points on fast breaks. The Gators' physicality and speed, coupled with their 40 total rebounds and 15 assists, helped them secure the game. This matchup underscored both teams' strengths, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

Up Next…

The Oaks' strong performance against a high-level opponent highlights their potential as they look forward to building on this experience. Their home opener is up next on Saturday, November 16th inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion against Sonoma State. Do not miss the tip-off at 2pm!