THIN CSM WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM TOPS BUTTE IN OPENER BEFORE FALLING TO RANKED TEAMS IN MARTINEZ TOURNEY

The injury plagued College of San Mateo women’s basketball team fell a bit short after a valiant comeback in the third-place game of Sunday’s (Dec. 17) Tom Martinez Invitational at the College Heights campus. Reedley capitalized on a game-opening 12-point run to hold off the Bulldogs at the end, 73-60.

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December 17, 2017

COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO SPORTS NEWS               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              DEC. 17, 2017

By/contact: Fred Baer                  baerf@smccd.edu 

Bulldogs Take To The Road For Holidays:  

  THIN CSM WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM TOPS BUTTE IN OPENER BEFORE FALLING TO RANKED TEAMS IN MARTINEZ TOURNEY

 

The injury plagued College of San Mateo women's basketball team fell a bit short after a valiant comeback in the third-place game of Sunday's (Dec. 17) Tom Martinez Invitational at the College Heights campus. Reedley capitalized on a game-opening 12-point run to hold off the Bulldogs at the end, 73-60.

Host CSM had closed to 2-points, at 44-42, near the end of the third quarter on a 3-point basket by Megan Jajeh. Reedley (9-5), ranked No. 15 in Northern California, used the free throw line to score 16 of its final 25 points to pull away for the victory.

Jajeh, a 5-4 freshman out of San Francisco's Mercy High School, led the Lady Bulldogs (3-8) throughout the 3-day annual holiday tournament, named in honor of the late Hall-of-Fame coach Martinez. She tallied 47 points in the three games, including 20 (with four 3-pointers) in an 81- 53 semifinal loss to Shasta. That included 14 points as San Mateo attempted a fourth quarter rally.

In the tourney opening 56-47 win over Butte, she led CSM with 14 points. Jajeh sank nine 3's in the tournament to bring her team-leading season total to 23 (No. 4 among Coast North players). 

Kaitlyn Tamondong also had 13 points plus six assists in Sunday's contest with Reedley, while Ziyah Starks added 11 points for the Bulldogs.

WILEY LEADS COAST REBOUNDERS: Kyana Wiley had 15 rebounds against Reedley and continues to lead Coast North rebounders with a 10.9 average. At 5-10, she is the only CSM player taller than 5-7. Due to injuries, especially on the front line, there are currently only seven active players on the Bulldogs roster.

The Martinez tournament featured three teams ranked among the top 20 in Northern California and all reached the semifinals, along with CSM. No. 10 San Joaquin Delta defeated No. 19 Shasta, 68-63, in a thrilling finale for the championship. The game was knotted at 63 with just over a minute to play before the Lady Mustangs went ahead on a 3-pointer from tourney MVP Daisia Williams, a 5-6 guard. Paiton Demps of Delta also made the all-tourney team. Shasta had two all-tourney players: Sheleah Stephens and Aubrie Wall. Reedley guard Jelani Williford had 55 points over the three days, including 21 against CSM, to also earn all-tourney honors. 

NEXT: CSM next visits Monterey Peninsula (6-7) on Thursday (Dec. 21) at 5 p.m. San Mateo will play in a post-Christmas tournament at San Jose City College Dec. 27-29. The Bulldogs open with state No. 6 ranked Fresno City College (11-3) on Dec. 27 at 3 p.m.