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As the Grizzlies and the Titans assumed position, getting ready for the tip-off, the rules were explained by the referee. The ball was thrown up between center for the Grizzlies, Emily Fechner, and center for the Titans, Natalia Barrajas.

For the first quarter, the ball was won by the Grizzlies and was tipped to point guard Ashlee Halopoff. As Halopoff received the tip, she quickly passed to Vanessa Ramirez who tired to pass the ball back, but it was intercepted by one of the Titan’s players. Ramirez soon recovered her shot with a rebound, and the controlled the ball.

“It came down to whoever wanted it more and we played harder every minute of the game; everyone did an amazing job; it was an exciting win!” stated Ramirez.

Lupita Flores was the first one to score for the Grizzlies in the first quarter. The Grizzlies started off in a zone defense that made the Titans work for every point they earned.

A couple minutes into the game, Halopoff passed the ball to Ramirez for a counting three pointer. As the Titans brought the ball down, Jenna Bunang drove past Ramirez, but was unsuccessful as Fechner blocked her shot.

Ramirez stole a pass from a Titan and successfully passed to Flores, who had made a two point shot. As Halopoff went for the drive, she was fouled by Bunang. While at the foul line, she made the first free throw and missed the second and the ball was hit out of bounds by the Grizzlies.

A three point attempt by Sadie Espinoza was blocked by Halopoff, and Yo Sasorith recovered the ball. Shortly after, Chelsea Dillahunty subbed in for Ramirez. Fechner again, with another blocked shot. The ball was hit out of bounds and it was in Grizzlies favor. As Halopoff passed it in to Sasorith, Flores was open for a two point shot at which she made.

“We did [well] and we fought till the end even thought we were down by a few points, but we stayed strong and the outcome was that we won!” said Sasorith.

The Grizzlies dribbled down the court and Halopoff passed to Flores but she was not open for a shot, so the ball was thrown to the other side to Sasorith who wasn’t open either, so Halopoff go the ball back, and made a three point shot.

Second quarter started with the possession in the Grizzlies hands. The ball was handed to Halopoff, who then passed it in to Ramirez who took the ball down to set up offense. Unable to score on the play, the ball was now in the Titan’s possession. They took the ball down; Kailey Cano was unable to pass to her teammate because the ball was bounced off of Halopoff’s leg.

Now the Titans played a full court press to try to get the Grizzlies to fall under pressure, but that plan did not seem to work. The Titans stepped it up on defense making it a bit harder for the Grizzlies to score; the ball was passed to Fechner, but was an incomplete due to a bad pass.

Barrajas made a two point shot which raised the Titan’s score by two points.

Fault by the Titans, Sasorith got the blocked pass, dribbled down the court and passed to Halopoff, who got fouled for another point, she made the first. As she missed the last free throw, the ball was hit out of bounds by the Titans, so the ball was once again in the Grizzlies possession.

“The ladies did well working as a team and maintained a high level of energy to come from behind and win,” said offensive coach Alby.

During half time the score was 16-23 in the Lady Grizzlies favor. During half-time both teams recognized the challenge they each had. They both needed to play the game smart, and confident. Each team was at advantages with different strengths.

Third quarter started with in Titans possession. As they shot for the three it was missed, and Flores got the rebound, but was unable to score. The next time down on their side of the court, Halopoff passed to Fechner who made the mark by making her shot.

As a player from the Titans went in for a lay-up, Fechner blocked her illegally by using her body. A Titan was on the line shooting one at which she made.

Halopoff was unable to get threw three people, so she lost the ball, but it was quickly recovered by Flores who was ready to dribble. The ball was then passed to Ramirez, who passed it inside to Fechner and made her shot.

Forth quarter the score was very close, with both teams very eager to win. Fechner recovered Flores shot, and made it. A time-out was called by the Titans. As both teams were making their way on the court, it was crunch time!

“Two good teams against each other is going to be an awesome game, the winner is based on who wants its more,” said Flores, “and that night we wanted it a lot more!”

Ramirez took the ball down, but was stolen from a Titan; Halopoff slid and got the ball loose. Sasorith, on the ground, recovered the loose ball and passed it down the court to Fechner who was wide open from a lay-up and successfully made it.

The Titans inbounded the ball and the Grizzlies played good defense. As the ball went up from the shot, Dillahunty got the rebound and passed to Fechner. As Halopoff got the ball, she looked down court to see Sasorith for an open lay-up. Sasorith received the points.

It was Grizzlies possession, and Fechner passed the ball to Halopoff, she was fouled by Janette Perez from the Titans. A couple seconds later, and Halopoff was on the line again shooting two, but only made one.

The ball was taken down by the Titans. The ball was passed to the right corner for a three, unfortunately it was incomplete. Fechner got the rebound , ready to pass, when she was fouled by a Titan. Fechner was on the line shooting one and one; making both.

The Grizzlies were now up by one, the score now being 48-47. Sasorith was inbounded with the ball, and was fouled while dribbling. She was on the line shooting one and one; only making one.

By the end of the game, Fechner had 1 foul; 17 rebounds, 18 points, 2 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Halopoff had 2 fouls; 12 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 blocked shot. Ramirez had 2 fouls; 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals. Flores had 4 fouls; 8 points, 5 rebounds, and one assist. Sasorith had 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and one steal. Dillahunty had 2 points; 5 rebounds, and one assist. All together the Lady Grizzlies had fewer than 19 turnovers, which really helped them out.

“I think that we did a good job and we were determined to win! We just kept our heads up and worked as a team,” said Dillahunty.

At the end of the game the score was 52-47, in the Grizzlies favor. This was another win that the Lady Grizzlies worked hard for. They stayed tough from the beginning to the end and they fought fairly for the win!

The next home game for the Lady Grizzlies is Feb. 4 against the Kennedy Thunderbirds