Women’s basketball slump in defeat

The De Anza women’s basketball team fell 59-44 to Foothill College on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

 
Forward Marina Ramon-Lopez and guard Tiffany Raczynski led the Dons in scoring with 11 points each in the failed comeback.

 
The Dons got off to a slow start on both ends of the court. The offense lacked rhythm and struggled to get rebounds, displaying minimal urgency in driving to the net, which led to forced shots from the three-point line.

 
The Foothill Owls controlled the first half, putting up 18 points, leading the Dons by nine.

 
The Owls continued their offensive barrage, not allowing the Dons to rebound or receive any good looks.

 
De Anza trailed Foothill  14-31 going into halftime.

 
Head coach Megan Hankins said that a lack of effort hindered her players’ success in the first half.

 
“We just have to play harder,” Hankins said. “It’s all about effort at the end of the day. It’s not about X’s and O’s; it’s about effort.”

 
The Dons came out of half time with revitalized play, driving to the basket and getting shots down consistently.

 
“I felt like in the first half we weren’t giving enough effort and in the second half we won the effort contest,” Hankins said. “It’s a better showing of us in the second half.”

 
While De Anza started playing well, the Owls kept pace with them.

 
“It was just kind of going back and forth. We couldn’t get the stop that we needed,” Guard Jourdawn Kirkland said. “We would do something good and then our defense wasn’t there.”

 
The Owls maintained their lead over the Dons 43-27 with 10 minutes left to play.

 
The Dons pressed to get the game closer, going on a late runs with most players hitting their shots.

 
“The second half, we came out I think we definitely did better, turned up the intensity, got it down to eight,” Kirkland said. “We just couldn’t finish.”

 
The Dons got into foul trouble which negated their positive play and could not stop a steadfast foothill offense.

 
Although De Anza lost, they looked good in the second half and made it a close game.

 
“The second half, yes, I’m happy,” Hankins said. “There are still places that we need to get better, but we will get better.”

 
Kirkland said a better start and stronger defensive play is where her team needs to improve.

 
“We are definitely going to work on our intensity and energy when we first come out and our defense,” Kirkland said.

 
The Dons next game is on Friday, Jan. 27 against Cabrillo College at 5 p.m.