The De Anza College women’s basketball team, led by Bianca Russel and Shalaine Manuel failed to stop the Renegade attack, falling 66-46 on Jan. 12 at Ohlone College in Fremont. The Dons couldn’t foster a rally to catch the defending Coast Conference champion Ohlone Renegades.

Despite being overpowered, the Dons held close through the first half. Both teams were plagued early by several botched shots. With five minutes left in the half, the Dons were within two points at a late timeout. Leading Ohlone scorer, Guard Melissa Cross caught "el feugo" and connected from the arc, and again from inside the paint extending the lead to seven at half, 30-23.

The Renegades came out firing in the second half, steadily increasing their lead up till the final whistle. Hot from the first half; Cross buried several shots from an array of locales. The Dons couldn’t contain the offense of the taller, stronger Renegades.

"We were flat and showed no fire, said Coach Arden Kragalott.

According to Kragalott, Russel was the only consistent player on the evening. "She seems to always be on."

"The team wasn’t on the same page. I’m very disappointed … if we aren’t on the same page, it won’t work," added Kragalott.

Kragalott said its not a lack of team preparation, rather, its each player’s individual mental preparation that leads to the team not being on the same page.

The Dons were out rebounded 56-31. The Renegades controlled the game from the outside, as they outscored the Dons from three-point range 27-12. Manuel scored the Dons’ only 3-pointers, connecting four times from the outside. Manuel led the Dons with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

The Dons fell to 3-12 on the season and the Renegades improved to 8-8.

The Dons host the Saints of Mission College for the division opener on Wed. Jan 19 at 5:30 p.m.