SAN RAFAEL, CA – In a gripping PacWest showdown at the Conlan Center, the Menlo College Women's Basketball team came within one possession of a stunning comeback against Dominican University but ultimately fell 70-66. A spirited fourth-quarter surge by the Oaks brought the game to the brink, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Lights Out Performers
Un-ending efforts from the Oaks are highlighted by the following performances….
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Alberte Frisch was unstoppable, leading all scorers with 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. She added 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and a block in 36 high-impact minutes.
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Jordyn Rosette almost delivered a double-double with 13 points and 8 rebounds, while also recording 3 blocks, 2 assists, and a steal to anchor the team on both ends of the court through the entire 40 minutes of the game.
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Jayonnah Carter added 12 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, providing critical offense in key moments.
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Laila Saenz chipped in 6 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Erin Sellers contributed 5 points and 2 steals to bolster Menlo's effort.
Fight to the Finish
The game opened with Dominican taking a slim lead in the first quarter, but Menlo responded with a 22-point second-quarter effort, keeping the score close at halftime. The Penguins capitalized on turnovers, scoring 21 points off 17 Menlo giveaways, but the Oaks dominated in fast-break opportunities with 14 points in transition.
Dominican extended their lead in the third quarter, but Menlo refused to back down. The Oaks mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth, outscoring Dominican 17-12, with Alberte Frisch and Jordyn Rosette spearheading the charge. With just under a minute to go, Menlo closed the gap to two points, but Dominican's free-throw shooting in the final moments sealed the game.
Despite the loss, Menlo showcased their depth and grit, outshooting Dominican from the field at 37% and holding the Penguins to just 31% from three-point range. The Oaks also excelled on the boards, collecting 32 rebounds, with Rosette's dominance under the rim leading the way.
Up Next…
This narrow defeat highlights Menlo's ability to compete with top teams in the PacWest. The Oaks will carry the lessons from this hard-fought contest into their next game against the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz on Tuesday, January 7th at 4pm in Santa Cruz, CA.
