MiraCosta Spartans Fall Short in Nail-Biter Against Saddleback, 80-77

Mission Viejo, CA – December 10, 2024
In a game filled with intensity and back-and-forth action, the MiraCosta Women's Basketball Team came up just short, falling 80-77 to Saddleback on the road. Despite a valiant effort and stellar performances by multiple players, the Spartans couldn't quite close the gap in the final moments.

First Half: Spartans Stay in Striking Distance

The game started with Saddleback gaining an early edge, but MiraCosta stayed competitive with key contributions:

• Le Aundra Walker-Brown (04) led the way offensively, scoring 10 points in the first half and setting the tone with her aggressive drives to the basket.
• Shayla Love (12) was a force in the paint, scoring 12 of her game-high 23 points before halftime while battling for every rebound.
• Samantha Mowrey (11) added timely baskets and defensive stops to help the Spartans keep the game close.

At halftime, Saddleback held a narrow 41-34 lead, with MiraCosta primed for a second-half surge.

Second Half: Fighting Until the Final Buzzer

The Spartans came out firing in the second half, outscoring Saddleback in the third quarter (21-15) and entering the final period down just one point.

• Walker-Brown continued to shine, finishing with 22 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals, driving the offense and keeping MiraCosta within reach.
• Reina Alamillo (33) provided a spark off the bench, grabbing key rebounds and hitting a clutch three-pointer to swing momentum in the Spartans' favor.
• Clare Patrick (10) played a solid two-way game, contributing 8 points and helping disrupt Saddleback's offensive flow.

Despite MiraCosta's best efforts, Saddleback held their composure in the final minutes to edge out the win.

Game Stats at a Glance

• Field Goal Percentage: 48.5% (MiraCosta) vs. 45.6% (Saddleback)
• 3-Point Percentage: 31.3% (MiraCosta) vs. 30.3% (Saddleback)
• Free Throw Percentage: 80.0% (MiraCosta) vs. 57.1% (Saddleback)
• Rebounds: 32 (MiraCosta) vs. 31 (Saddleback)
• Assists: 20 (MiraCosta) vs. 22 (Saddleback)
• Turnovers: 15 (MiraCosta) vs. 17 (Saddleback)

Player of the Game

Shayla Love (12) – Love delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 23 points while pulling down 7 rebounds and adding 2 steals. Her energy and effort were key to keeping MiraCosta competitive throughout the game.

Looking Ahead

The Spartans will look to bounce back as they return to their home court for the next matchup. With their balanced offense and relentless defense, MiraCosta remains a formidable opponent and a team poised for success.

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