Hawks defeat OUAZ before loss to ACU

ECS staff report

EL CAJON —- The San Diego Christian College women’s basketball team opener Golden State Athletic Conference schedule with a split last week, capturing their GSAC opener over Ottawa University of Arizona, 66-51, Thursday (Nov. 18) at the new Salvation Army Gym.

The Hawks extended the GSAC losing streak of the Spirit to 12 games over the past three seasons, outscoring the visitors in all four quarters to pull away to the double-digit decision.

Sophomore forward Maddison Zunga paced SDCC with 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting.

Forward Isabel Feller added 11 points, while Carly Wheeler came off the bench for 10 points.

The main difference came in the paint, where the Hawks held a huge 51-27 rebounding advantage, including 10 boards by guard Cynnadie Whatley.

Former Christian High player Serene Weckback scored two points in seven minutes of action for OUAZ.

“Very pleased with our effort tonight against a very scrappy Ottawa squad,” SDCC head coach Shawn Chaffin said. “We took some nice strides forward tonight as a unit, and we were able to re-integrate some key players who have been out with injuries. Always good to start league play 1-0.

On Saturday (Nov. 20) afternoon against Arizona Christian, the Hawks hoped to defeat a ballclub that edged them by one game for second place in the GSAC East Division standings. However, the Firestorm overcame an early deficit with 24 third-period points to win.

Alyssa Alvarez led ACU with 19 points and seven rebounds.

For the Hawks, Zunga registered 14 points, while Isabel Feller added 10.

San Diego Christian (3-4 overall, 1-1 GSAC) will host Georgia Southern, an NCAA Division I program, in a Monday at 8 p.m. exhibition game, then host Northwestern State (Iowa), the NAIA’s 17th ranked club, on Friday at 3 p.m.