By: Jamal Smith Sports Editor
WOU’s woman’s basketball team fell to California State East Bay University (CSEBU) 57-42 on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 in their first regular season game of the year.
The Wolves came out flat in the opening four minutes of the game until junior Jordan Mottershaw (G) would get on the scoreboard with a pair of free throws.
CSEBU’s defense held Western to only 14 first half points, and the Pioneers would maintain a 26-14 lead going into half time.
In the second half, the Wolfpack would come within six points of CSU on multiple occasions but the Pioneers would answer with mini scoring runs of their own.
Mottershaw led the Wolves in scoring with 15 points. Junior Kelsey Henry (F) and junior Launia Davis (G) each had eight points coming off the bench.
Then on the following day, Saturday, Nov. 14, WOU lost in a hotly contested game to California State Monterey Bay (CSMB) 59-50.
After the Wolves seized the lead in the first minutes of the game, the Otters took advantage of a WOU cold stretch and CSMB would outscore Western 13-5 to finish out the first quarter.
The Otters continued to build on their lead in the second quarter taking a 30-17 lead into half time.
Western showed grit and determination, chipping away at the Otters lead late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter.
The Wolves came within a basket of tying the game during this stretch, but CSMB would answer back with scoring runs to seal an Otters victory.
Western struggled from the field, making 17 of 54 field goal attempts and finished with a shooting percentage of 31.
Sophomore Sydney Azorr (G) was the only Wolf in double figures and finished with 10 points, four steals and two assists. Mottershaw and senior Emily Howey each had nine points.
The Wolves echelles heel so far for the season has been turnovers and free throw shooting. In the first two regular season games the Wolves have committed 38 turnovers and shot slightly above 50 percent from the stripe.
A bright spot for the Wolves is rebounding. In the first two games, Western has averaged 38 rebounds per game. They are also averaging 7.5 steals per game.
The Wolves next two games are back-to-back home games in the WOU/Hampton Inn D2 Shootout.
The first is on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. against California State University, Chico. The second is on Sunday, Nov. 22, also at 2 p.m. against The Evergreen State College.
Both games are to be held at the New P.E. Building. You can order tickets online and pick them up at will call, or purchase them from the box office on game day.
