The game started with California’s Leilani McIntosh finding Michelle Onyiah on a fastbreak lay-up. The Rattlers got things started with Olivia Delancy’s low post jumper on the left block. California’s press would force the Rattlers into a couple of turnovers, as the Golden Bears would then go on a 5-0 run to force the Rattlers to call a timeout. The Lady Rattler offense was moving well during the first quarter; however, they could not get anything to fall in the basket. The Golden Bears led 18-8 after the first quarter.
Nashani Gilbert got things started off for the rattlers in the second with an easy backdoor cut, but California responded with a three. With 4:38 remaining in the second quarter, the size discrepancy was felt as the Lady Rattlers were getting outrebounded 21-9 at this point.
Coach Gordon spoke about whether the lack of rebounding was a size issue or an effort issue.
She said, “It’s a lack of toughness, this team lacks toughness. This team had more attempts at the three-point line than we did at the free throw line. We are soft, we don’t want to battle.”
The Rattlers defense fell apart to close the first half as Lulu Laditan-Twidale hit two threes and got an assist late to put California up 36-19.
The Golden Bears got the third quarter rolling with multiple three-point field goals to extend the rattlers defense and the lead to 45-23 with 7:18 remaining. Olivia Delancy tried to get things going for the Lady Rattlers, but she continued to struggle, shooting 3 for 18 at the end of the third quarter. Golden Bears lead 52-29.
Coach Gordon spoke about Delancy’s shooting, “Olivia had the ball in her hand a lot because Ahrianna and Ivet were in foul trouble. So we had to go to Olivia and her thing is to get downhill and to be aggressive. We would rather teach her to slow down than to speed up, so now we must go back to the drawing board and teach her how to play in a team setting while still being aggressive.”
The fourth quarter was more of the same as the Golden Bears cruised to victory 76-38.
Nashani Gilbert spoke about the progress the Lady Rattlers can make to finish off the non-conference schedule. She said, “We must come more together as a team, and we can’t let this loss bring us down, and we have to get our confidence back to where it needs to be.