ATHERTON, CA – Holding Concordia to the lowest field goal percentage and subsequently fewest points of any opponent this season, Menlo Women's Basketball shot 50 percent from the field in the second half to seal a 62-57 Pacific West Conference win over the Golden Eagles inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion on Monday.

"We'd like to string some wins together," said Head Coach Shannon Spataro. "I feel like consistent performances where we are playing well on both ends of the floor help us have a taste that we can be better than we have been."

Oaks Highlights
-Alberte Frisch made it three straight games with 20+ points, finishing with a game-high 25 plus six rebounds and four steals
-Also in double figures in scoring, Laila Saenz added 10 points including five free throws
-Mehkia Applewhite nearly achieved a double-double with eight points, nine rebounds, and three assists

9-0 Run In Fourth Quarter Separates Menlo From Opposition
Showing their hustle early on, an offensive rebound became points for senior guard Mehkia Applewhite, a block by sophomore forward Taylor Westbrook turned into a fastbreak layup for graduate student forward Frida Schmidt, and a steal from the hands of senior guard Alberte Frisch led to a layup on the other end during a 6-0 surge that helped the Oaks lead 13-8 after one quarter.

"Alberte is doing a phenomenal job for us," Spataro said. "We need her to score and she's doing that in all different ways; getting to the basket or the free throw line, she's got a nice midrange, and can shoot the three so we're super proud of her."

Seven unanswered to open the second frame were capped by a 3-pointer from graduate student guard Laila Saenz as the Menlo lead reached double figures, but Concordia's own 7-0 run to end the half made it just a four-point affair at halftime with the Oaks in front 22-18.

Frisch was key during another seven straight points for the home team early in the third quarter yet the later stages favored CUI as an 11-3 finish saw the lead change hands to the visitors 44-43. In what was perhaps the most crucial stretch of the contest, Saenz knocked down a pair of free throws, Frisch hit her fourth triple of the day, and Westbrook scored inside to give Menlo a 57-51 advantage they would not relinquish. Five of six free throws were made in the last minute as the Oaks walked away with the 62-57 victory.

Up Next
Home once again this Thursday, Jan. 8, the Oaks get their first look at Hawaii Pacific in a 5:30 p.m. matchup back inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion.