The Vaquero’s women’s basketball team improved their record to 3-0 this season after a 71-62 win against Bakersfield on Nov. 8.
As the whistle sounded, City College won the jump ball and both teams were ready to play 40 minutes of high intensity basketball.
Defensive intensity was key to start the game for the Vaqueros, full court trapping Bakersfield on every possession. In the first three minutes of the game the Vaqueros had already forced four turnovers.
City College continued applying pressure throughout the first quarter which led to them forcing 11 turnovers. The Vaqueros went on a 10-3 run in the final three minutes giving them a nine point lead with a score of 21-12.
The Vaqueros offense jumped on Bakersfield with a 13-0 run in the first 4 minutes of the second quarter. Highlighted with six offensive rebounds and 8 points from Isis Poteet, City College commanded a lead of 34 -12.
As the second quarter winded down, Maria Shytkova hit a deep three-pointer assisted by Aariah Fox, giving the Vaqueros a 41- 21 lead with a minute left in the second quarter.
At half time the Vaqueros lead Bakersfield 42-21, highlighted with extreme hustle on the defensive end, forcing 21 first half turnovers. This went exactly to plan with the vaqueros team philosophy.
“It goes to our philosophy, ‘MTXE,’” Head coach Sandrine Krul said. “Mental toughness, extra effort. That’s what they know, and that’s what they play for.”
As the second half started, the Vaqueros held a 21 point lead but a 13-4 run by Bakersfield got them back into the game. Making the score 48-34 at the four minute mark.
Even with Bakersfield’s push, the Vaqueros ended the 3rd quarter efficiently and entered the 4th quarter with a score of 55-40.
With the Vaqueros 10 minutes away from victory, their defensive pressure rejoiced forcing two quick turnovers in the first minute of the 4th quarter. Although, the offense became stagnant only scoring 5 points in the first 5 minutes of the 4th.
As the clock dwindled down, the Vaqueros’ lead went with it. With 5 minutes left in the 4th the score was 60-51, the closest it had been since the 1st quarter. After a Bakersfield 3 pointer, the score was 60-54 with just 4 minutes remaining.
A few possessions later, the Vaqueros hustle increased with Kennnedy Nutter grabbing a huge offensive rebound that led to Poteet scoring a layup. This pushed the score to 63-54 with three minutes remaining.
Bakersfield refused to back down, as Isabel Acevez drilled a deep three-pointer, cutting the score to 63-57 with just two minutes remaining.
On their next possession Bakersfield scored another 3-point shot, making the score 65- 60 with 1:40 left. Kaylee Bosetti was fouled and made both free throws with just 50 seconds remaining. The Vaqueros could smell victory.
With eight seconds left Bakersfield had one last hope, until Fox stole the inbound pass leading to a fastbreak layup with 6 seconds left, putting the game on ice with a score of 71-62.
The Vaqueros ultimately withstood Bakersfield’s second half heroics and improved their record to 3-0. Although, with the stagnant second half, Krul believes the Vaqueros need to get more conditioned to succeed in the second half.
“We are a pressing team and a pushing team so we need to be in the best shape. We want to press for 40 minutes, I think the press was good for about 23 minutes but you have to credit to them they are scrappy.” Krul said.
The players also credit their 3-0 start to playing a team. They are very excited to see what the rest of the season entails.
All of us working together, playing with heart and having fun at the end of the day. We try not to make it intense and all uplift each other,” Poteet said. “I think we will have a really good season as long as we keep working together, while having full effort playing with heart and uplifting each other.”
The Vaqueros next game will be against Hartnell College on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
