The UCSD women’s basketball team continued its winning ways by netting its fifth straight win, a 76-60 overtime victory over Sonoma State on Jan. 6. In a dramatic finish, junior forward Meaghan Noud hit a three-pointer with five seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
Junior guard Marla Mason is one of many bench players providing a spark for UCSD on its current five-game win streak. A buzzer-beating shot sent a game on Jan. 6 against Sonoma State to overtime, where the Tritons would go on to win 76-60.
“”After the shot, the momentum and energy was on our side,”” Noud said. “”We had a chance to take over the game and we weren’t going to let it slip away.””
The Tritons struggled to score points at the beginning of the game, falling behind 15-5 early in the game. Midway through the first half, the team began hitting its shots and managed to end the half down only 25-23.
“”We knew it would be tough,”” Noud said. “”Sonoma’s a good team. We were a little shaky with our shots at the beginning of the game, but we didn’t let them get a big lead.””
Good defense, especially with aggressive play on the defensive boards, kept the Tritons in the game while their offense struggled.
With players contributing off the bench to create an effective offense, UCSD stayed with Sonoma State in the second half.
“”[Sophomore center] Alexis Gaskin came off the bench and had five key rebounds in the first half,”” head coach Janell Jones said.
Then, with five seconds left in regulation and at a three-point deficit, Noud hit a three-pointer to tie the game. The play was designed to go to Noud in order to catch Sonoma State off guard.
“”Sonoma was triple teaming [senior guard Leora Juster], and normally the game-winning shot would go to her,”” Noud said. “”It was a surprise type play.””
Senior forward Kacie Kostlan got the ball on the inbound and passed it to Noud, who initially lost the ball.
“”Noud got the ball back and threw up a ridiculous shot,”” sophomore forward Michelle Osier said. “”It was like a movie.””
Once the game went into overtime, the Tritons were able to cap off the comeback win.
“”We took over in overtime,”” Jones said. “”I think our conditioning paid off, because Sonoma looked a little tired out there.””
Good conditioning wasn’t the only thing helping UCSD in the overtime period. The Tritons’ bench played a major part in the victory.
“”The great play of our bench was really the difference maker,”” Jones said.
Noud scored 16 points off the bench and Gaskin had six rebounds.
The win was the Tritons’ fifth in a row, improving their overall record to 8-2. UCSD’s only losses have been against Chico State and Seattle Pacific University, and the team will face Chico State one more time in the regular season.
“”Chico will be a huge game,”” Osier said. “”We’ll definitely want revenge. Chico shoots lights out at home.””
Even though the team is on a hot streak, Jones is not concerned with past wins.
“”We don’t really look at win streaks,”” she said. “”We take every game as a new game and focus on what we need to do well.””
One reason for the team’s success is Juster, who was recently named California Collegiate Athletic Association player of the week. Juster leads the team in scoring and assists, averaging 25.6 and 4.5 per game, respectively.
“”Other teams usually have two or three people guarding her, so that leaves other players open for shots,”” Jones said. “”She’s a team player, and she plays offense and defense. She’s humble and lifts the spirits of the team.””
Jones’ main expectation for the season is that the team continues to improve.
“”We’ve played one of the toughest schedules and it should prepare us for games down the road,”” Jones said.
Even with the tough schedule, the team has found a way to win games against good competition.
“”We’re a pretty good defensive team and we’re good at fighting,”” Noud said. “”We’ve been down 20 points against really good teams and have won games. We just need to gain more confidence offensively.””
The Tritons’ current win streak should help with confidence and some players are seeing an improvement already.
“”We’ve done a great job, everyone is getting better and better,”” Osier said. “”The only game we’ll regret losing is the Seattle Pacific game. If ever UCSD women’s basketball could win a national championship, it would be now.””
The team will go for their sixth straight win at Cal State Los Angeles on Jan. 12.
