Showdown with Saddleback

Blake Harris | Digital Editor

Corsair guard Jayahne Henderson(15) from Santa Monica College(SMC) going for the layup against Saddleback College Bobcat Serenity Fields(23) in the SMC Pavillion Gym at Santa Monica, Calif. Corsairs lost 62-50 to put them in a 3-game losing streak on Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Alex Surrena-Thompson(21) from Saddleback Callege taking a shot to net as Santa Monica College(SMC) Corsair Jaiyahne Henderson(15) attempts to block the shot in the SMC Pavillion Gym at Santa Monica, Calif. Corsairs lost 62-50 to put them in a 3-game losing streak on Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Bobcat guard Aleksia Gadea(2) from Saddleback College getting passed Santa Monica College(SMC) Corsair Jaiyahne Henderson(15) to get a layup in the SMC Pavillion Gym at Santa Monica, Calif. Corsairs lost 62-50 to put them in a 3-game losing streak on Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Corsair forward Mackenzie Iams(2) from Santa Monica College(SMC) looking for an open player to pass to during their game against Saddleback College Bobcats in the SMC Pavillion Gym at Santa Monica, Calif. Corsairs lost 62-50 to put them in a 3-game losing streak on Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Corsair guard Jayahne Henderson(15) from Santa Monica College(SMC) getting passed Saddleback College Bobcat players for the layup in the SMC Pavillion Gym at Santa Monica, Calif. Corsairs lost 62-50 to put them in a 3-game losing streak on Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

Corsair forward Nicole Mansouri(23) from Santa Monica College(SMC) attempting to stop Saddleback College Bobcat Aleksia Gadea(L) from making it to the other side of the court in the SMC Pavillion Gym at Santa Monica, Calif. Corsairs lost 62-50 to put them in a 3-game losing streak on Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Danilo Perez | The Corsair)

 Despite strong start, women’s basketball loses to Saddleback.

On Nov. 21, the SMC Corsairs women's basketball team faced off against the Saddleback College Bobcats, losing 62-50 at Corsair Gym.

The Corsairs started out with momentum, and at the end of the first quarter, they were up past the Bobcats. However, some sloppy play led to multiple turnovers that caught the attention of the crowd.

In the second half, the Corsairs still were going strong, due in no small part to Maya Stokes and KJ Hudson, both of whom made several thrilling assists and scores. It was during these plays, however, that the Corsairs’ weaknesses began to show larger than before. Forward Serenity Fields caught fire with a series of three point shots, putting the Bobcats back in the game. Still, Corsair guard JaiYahne Henderson shone through, making eight field goals. 

By the fourth quarter, the Corsairs truly began to slow down at a crucial juncture. They made several critical turnovers, with Head Coach Lydia Strong standing up and pacing the court to show her disapproval. Ultimately, following a strong performance from the Bobcats, the Corsairs were unable to keep up with them in the final moments of the game. The Bobcats fully pulled the game back and won 62-50.

After the game, Strong said, “Essentially, we made a lot of turnovers. We could do better with a lot of things, but we’re young, so we have a lot of time to learn how to get it done.”