Hawks can’t hold on at new USK gym

ECS staff report

SAN MARCOS —- The San Diego Christian College women’s basketball team failed to hold on to a late lead, falling to host University of St. Katherine, 63-59, in Thursday’s (Nov. 11) Veteran’s Day special held at the brand-new USK Sports Complex.

The triumph was the first for St. Katherine over the Hawks in nine all-time meetings in the series.

Hawks forward Maddison Zugna registered 12 of her team-best 19 points in the second half, leading her ballclub back from an early 5-point deficit to a 56-48 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

However, following her layin, Zunga was then subbed out moments later with her fifth foul, which caused problems for the San Diego Christian defense. By the time she returned, St. Katherine was on a scoring run.

USK took the lead when Zeniya Thomas stole the ball, sending a breakaway pass forward to Isabella Marquez for a layin and a 60-59 lead with 44 seconds remaining. The bucket was part of a 15-3 Firebirds run to close the contest.

For SDCC (1-3), Zunga posted a double-double by also grabbing 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Jamee Joseph alco collected a double-double with  10 points and 10 boards, while guard Carly Wheeler* collected 11 points and four assists.

The Firebirds’ Marquez led all scores with 20 points, with half of her 8 baskets coming from 3-point range.

San Diego Christian returns to the same court for a neutral-site contest against CSU-Maritime on Saturday at 11 a.m. The next home game will be the school’s Golden State Athletic Conference opener, hosting Ottawa (Ariz.) on Fri., Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m., at the Salvation Army Gym in El Cajon.