March 17, 2010

Final Stats

BERKELEY, Calif. - Layshia Clarendon scored a career-high 29 points while Gennifer Brandon had 19 points and career-best 21 rebounds on Wednesday as host California rallied from seven points down late in regulation to force overtime on its way to a 74-69 win over UC Davis at Haas Pavilion in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

UC Davis, making its second appearance in the WNIT in just three seasons at the NCAA Division I level, ended it season with a 21-11 overall record after claiming the Big West Conference regular-season title. Paige Mintun scored 17 points for the Aggies while Kasey Riecks had 13 and Haylee Donaghe finished with 11.

Cal, which improved to 19-13, moves into the WNIT's second round where it plays the winner of Sunday's game between Utah and Saint Mary's in Moraga.

"I'm really proud of our team, not just for playing well, but for playing really disciplined," said Aggie coach Sandy Simpson. "We stuck to our gameplan. We gave up some points in the first 10 minutes but made some adjustments in the latter part of the first half.

"In the first 10 to 12 minutes of the second half, I thought we were executing well defensively, and offensively we did a nice job against their pressure defense."

UC Davis led 58-51 with 3 minutes, 6 seconds left in regulation after a shot inside from Donaghe. But Clarendon responded with a three-pointer and then hit a jumper with 2 minutes left to make it 58-56. Cal had a chance to win the game in regulation but good Aggie defense thwarted two final shot attempts, forcing the extra period.

Vicky Deely's three-pointer with 2:02 left in overtime gave UC Davis a 67-66 lead but Clarendon scored four straight to put the Bears in front 70-67 with 51 ticks to go. The Aggies later trailed 71-69 with 24 seconds left but turned the ball over on an inbounds play and two free throws from Clarendon made it a four-point lead with just 17 seconds remaining. UC Davis was unable to get closer in the final seconds.

UC Davis got off to a good start in the game, making five three-pointers in the first six minutes to lead 17-11. The Bears scored six straight to tie the game and later led 30-23 before a 10-2 put the Aggies back in front 33-32. The teams went into halftime tied, 36-36.

Samantha Meggison's three-pointer with six minutes left gave UC Davis its biggest lead of the game, 56-48, a lead it held until the Bears forced overtime with their late rally.

UC Davis had a season-high 12 three-pointers with Riecks making three. Cal, which played without leading scorer Alexis Gray-Lawson who missed with injury, outrebounded the Aggies 49-28.

The game brought to a close an outstanding Aggie season which produced the program's first 20-win season since 1998-99, a second postseason appearance in its new Div. I era, and the team's first conference championship.

It was also the final game for standout seniors Haylee Donaghe and Ashley Curry. Both players have been integral parts of UC Davis' successful transition to Div. I.