LANCASTER, Calif. - Despite several comeback attempts, the No. 24 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) women's basketball team fell just short against the University of Antelope Valley, falling 59-55 in a California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) game. Embry-Riddle and Antelope Valley split the regular season series, and both have clinched spots in the Cal Pac Tournament in one week. Sophomore Katana Martina (Redding, Calif.) led the Eagles with 18 points.
Embry-Riddle (20-5, 10-3 Cal Pac) had an early 6-5 lead after a three-pointer by sophomore Haley Villegas (Anthem, Ariz.) and free throw by sophomore Allese Williams (Canyon Country, Calif.). Antelope Valley (19-6, 11-2 Cal Pac) then ran off 11 straight points to take a 16-6 lead with 2:37 left in the first on a shot by Alyssa Gonzales.
It was still a 10-point lead for the Pioneers early in the second quarter at 20-10 when the Eagles put together their first run of the contest. Sophomore Jazlyn Maletino (Tracy, Calif.) started the 9-0 run with six straight points, with the Eagles closing the gap to 20-19 on a three by sophomore Jenna Knudson (Sterling, Colo.) three minutes in. It stayed close the rest of the half, with ERAU managing to grab a one-point led on a shot by Knudson, but a pair of free throws with 1:18 left gave Antelope Valley at 30-27 edge at the half.
After an early basket by sophomore Melissa Pfeifer (Hays, Kan.), Antelope Valley came back with 12 straight points over a four-minute span to open up a 42-29 lead. Embry-Riddle answered right back, scoring the final 10 points in the third quarter to pull within three at 42-39 on a shot by sophomore Danae Ruiz (Maricopa, Ariz.).
Ruiz then tied the game with a three to open the fourth, but Ilianna Blanc answered with a three for Antelope Valley and the Pioneers never trailed again. Antelope Valley worked its lead to eight points with 3:48 left when the Eagles picked up four straight, pulling within four on a three by Villegas with 2:22 left. Another Villegas long-range shot had ERAU within three at 56-33 with 46 seconds left, but the Pioneers hit 3-of-4 free throws to hold off the Eagles.
