Cats win fourth straight

The Saddleback women's basketball team defeated Cuyamaca College, 74-34, on Wednesday afternoon inside the gymnasium.  The Bobcats have now won four straight games for the first time since the 2023-24 season.

Saddleback never trailed in the game, scoring the first 15 points of the game in cruising past Cuyamaca.  The Bobcats led 23-8 after the opening quarter after making 5-of-14 shots from long range.  Makayla Rutledge was the main weapon, scoring nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc while collecting three rebounds in the quarter.

The second quarter belonged to Mariana Mina, who scored 11 in the quarter as Saddleback opened up a 42-15 lead at the intermission.  Mina was 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in the quarter as the Saddleback defense forced nine turnovers in the quarter.

Rutledge took over the game in the third quarter, scoring 11 points while collecting four rebounds in the quarter.  She would finish with a game-high 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists for the game.

Saddleback had three others in double-figures for the game in Mina (14), Kalena Akinaka 12 and Nina Saiki (10).  Shajade Banks was a force inside on the glass, recording a career-high 16 rebounds as the Bobcats outrebounded the Coyotes 63-49 for the game.

Saddleback is now 9-3 overall and has won four straight games.  The Bobcats last won five straight games during the 2016-17 season when they had a six game streak in the latter half of the season. 

Saddleback will go for a fifth straight win next Thursday when they play Santa Barbara City College in the Fullerton College Tournament.  The Bobcats and Vaqueros are scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM next Thursday in Fullerton.