City starts hot and led the Bear Cubs by 11 after the 1st quarter, but Santa Rosa came roaring back for the win
Santa Rosa Dominates Second Half to Defeat Sacramento City 83-69 on January 14, 2025
Santa Rosa used a powerful second-half performance to overcome Sacramento City, winning 83-69 in a Big 8 Conference matchup on January 14, 2025. After trailing early, the Bearcubs surged in the third and fourth quarters, outscoring the Panthers 49-27 in the second half to claim the victory.
First Half: Sacramento City's Strong Start
Sacramento City came out with intensity in the first half, taking control early and building a 22-11 lead in the first quarter. Kyshanti King led the way for the Panthers, scoring 15 points in the opening frame. Despite a rough shooting start from beyond the arc (4-15 in the first quarter), the Panthers held a solid advantage.
Santa Rosa struggled to match Sacramento City's pace in the first half. Ivy Gonzalez had a strong opening with 12 points, but the Bearcubs were unable to generate consistent offense. Despite shooting just 31.8% from the field in the first half, they were able to keep the game close, only trailing by 7 points at halftime, 30-37.
Second Half: Santa Rosa's Surge
The second half was a different story, as Santa Rosa turned up the heat. Lindsey Arellano was a key contributor, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Gonzalez's hot hand continued to fuel the Bearcubs' offense. She finished with 22 points, including 3-7 from three-point range.
Sacramento City, meanwhile, struggled to score after halftime. The Panthers hit only 8 field goals in the third and fourth quarters combined, as their shooting woes continued. King's 29-point effort was the highlight for Sacramento City, but he lacked enough help, as Kamaya Jones (11 points) and Joyce Mulumba (8 points) were the only other Panthers in double figures.
Santa Rosa's defense locked down in the second half, limiting Sacramento City's opportunities and forcing 7 turnovers. The Bearcubs capitalized on their opponent's mistakes, turning them into easy buckets, particularly in the fourth quarter.
In the final period, Santa Rosa outscored Sacramento City 29-22, sealing the win with a flurry of fast-break points and efficient shooting from the field. The Bearcubs shot 44.3% from the floor overall, including 48% from beyond the arc (12-25).
Key Performances
Sacramento City:
- Kyshanti King: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
- Hailee Hackett: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
- Kamaya Jones: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
- Joyce Mulumba: 8 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists
Santa Rosa:
- Ivy Gonzalez: 22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
- Lindsey Arellano: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
- Caitlin Baldwin: 10 points, 4 rebounds
- Hailey Webb: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist
Team Stats
Sacramento City:
- 27-75 (36.0% FG), 12-44 (27.3% 3P), 3-7 (42.9% FT)
Santa Rosa:
- 31-70 (44.3% FG), 12-25 (48.0% 3P), 9-13 (69.2% FT)
