Hogue steals, seals Hawk win over ACU

Arizona Christian led by double digits in the first quarter, but SDCC closed the deficit to six at the end of the period when Malia Koloamatangi scored a late basket and converted a free throw.

The Hawks trailed by three at halftime.

Down by five early on in the fourth, Hogue scored nine-straight points to give the Hawks a lead, but ACU regained the advantage.

With 30 seconds left, freshman forward, Mamaeia Makoni hit a game-tying three-pointer.

ACU set up a play to work the clock down for the final shot, but Hogue came up with the big play.

“I am very proud of the resilience shown by our young team this afternoon,” Hawks head coach Shawn Chaffin said. “ACU made two strong runs, and we were able to withstand those. We had multiple people step up, and our team played hard together and for each other.”

Cynnadie Whatley had 14 points, three rebounds, and two steals for San Diego Christian, while teammate Isabel Feller added 13 points, six rebounds, four steals, and five assists.

The Hawks travel to Surprise, Ariz., next for games against Ottawa University of Arizona. Games are on Friday, Feb. 5 (4:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 6 (11 a.m.) in a pair of Golden State Athletic Conference games.

Friday’s game

ECS staff report

SAN DIEGO – It was fully understandable after the San Diego Christian College women’s basketball team played just one quality quarter following a 40-day schedule delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two days later, the Hawks played two solid quarters, although they lost again.

In the Hawks’ Golden State Athletic Conference opener, visiting Arizona Christian turned a close game at halftime into a romp following a big third-quarter performance, as the Firestorm raced to a n 82-53 victory Friday at the Ray & Joan Kroc Center Community Center on University Avenue.

ACU (8-3 overall, 2-1 GSAC) outscored SDCC by a 24-6 margin after the break to secure a double-digit advantage.

For San Diego Christian (3-3, 0-1 GSAC), freshman Isabel Feller led the way am with 10 points. Martina Toma scored nine points off the bench and also tallied a pair of steals. However, the Firestorm held the Hawks to just 23 percent shooting from the floor.

Arizona Christian rattled off 10 straight points in the early going, but the Hawks consistently fought back to remain in contention through the first half, moving as close as 39-33.

The second half was a different ballgame, fueled by three steals each by Kaycee Brown and Des Gonzalez to limit SDCC to just six third-period points. Gonzalez also scored 10 of her game-best 24 points in the third period, while Brown finished with 23 points.