Mesa College women's basketball hosted their first home playoff game in eleven years on Wednesday. Despite dropping the game 44-46 to Pasadena City College, the season was a success for the program which will have plenty of momentum going into the 2023-24 campaign.
Head coach Lindsay Samaniego was proud of the way the team battled. Despite being down by 11 points late in the 4th quarter, the team kept fighting. "I couldn't be more proud of our effort and fight last night," adds Samaniego. "Our girls work hard each and every night, that is really all I can ask for as their coach."
Once again, Niki Madgedi provided much of the offense leading the Olympians with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Green Morris-Lundstrom also played well coming up with timely steals and baskets late in the game. Morris Lundstrom finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 block, and 1 assist.
With 6 minutes left in regulation, the Olympians found themselves behind 11 points. Despite the double digit deficit, the team turned on the defensive pressure creating timely turnovers and after a 3-point shot by Madgedi, cut the lead to 7 points. At the 2 minute mark, Reese Hohenthaner converts a 3-pointer cutting the lead to 2 points 41-43. Pasadena's Naomi Turner answered back making a jump shot which once again extended the lead 45-41. At the 1 minute mark, down by 3 points, and after a foul, Gwen Morris-Lundstrom makes both her free throws now bringing the score 44-45. After a couple of possession changes, the score remained 44-46. With 4.2 seconds left on the clock, Emma Fitzgerald was able to come off a beautifully designed double screen for a potential game winning three, but unfortunately grazed the right side of the rim.
"We did enough defensively to win the game, but came up just short on the offensive side," adds Samaniego. "I can't say it enough, I am proud of our program and how we put ourselves in a position to win the game, even after being down by 11-points."
Being able to host a playoff game, the first time in 11 years is a big accomplishmen. "This is something to be proud of and not overlooked," adds Samaniego. " We will continue to build this program into one of the top programs in San Diego and eventually in the state. This was a huge stepping stone for us and just the beginning."