ATHERTON, CA – In a nail-biting game at Haynes-Prim Pavilion, Oaks Women's Basketball secured a hard-fought 54-52 victory over Biola University on Thursday night. The back-and-forth battle showcased grit, determination, and crucial plays down the stretch as the Oaks emerged victorious in front of their home crowd. Even when the Eagles had 7 seconds left in the final possession, Menlo was able to pull off strategic defense that did not allow them to get a shot off. The PacWest standings are becoming neck-and-neck and this victory was needed to stay in the top half!
Got the Job Done
Today was an all-around team win that required many Oaks to perform at a high level.
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Jayonnah Carter led all scorers with 14 points, adding 6 assists and 3 rebounds.
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Jesni Cooper put together an all-around performance with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.
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Aliya Hunter made a major impact off the bench, knocking down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc for 9 points.
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Laila Saenz added 8 points, including two clutch three-pointers.
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Jordyn Rosette was a defensive force, tallying 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. Tonight's performance lands Rosette at #7 on the PacWest rebounding leaderboard, a column she has led for almost all of the season. She is also impressively #3 in 3-point percentage with .400.
Team Effort Turns Into Wins
Menlo shot efficiently from deep, hitting 9-of-24 (37%) from three-point range, which proved to be a crucial factor in their victory. The Oaks capitalized on Biola's turnovers, scoring 14 points off turnovers, compared to Biola's 8.
The game saw multiple lead changes, with Menlo taking an early 11-4 advantage after the first quarter. Biola responded with a strong second quarter to close the gap, but Menlo maintained a narrow 25-22 lead at halftime. The third quarter was a high-scoring affair, with both teams trading baskets, but the Oaks' ability to convert from beyond the arc kept them ahead.
Menlo's defense tightened in the final period, forcing key turnovers while limiting Biola to just 9 fourth-quarter points. Despite Biola's efforts to stage a late comeback, Menlo's composure at the free-throw line sealed the win. The Oaks finished with 5 steals and 2 blocks while committing only 5 fouls, showcasing their discipline on both ends of the floor.
Up Next….
With this victory, Menlo improves to 12-9 on the season and continues their push in the PacWest standings with an 8-6 conference record. The Oaks look to build on this momentum in their next matchup on Saturday, February 8th at 1pm against the Urban Knights of Academy of Art in San Francisco, CA.
