Hot Shooting by Chabot sends Rams Home With First Loss

January 16, 2009February 25, 2020 The Guardsman

Rams Guard Heather Chow attempts a lay-up as Chabot’s Dezziirae Cafferata tries to contest the shot in a game Jan. 9. JESSICA LUTHI / THE GUARDSMAN

By Bonta Hill
Sports Editor

After starting the new season with 22 consecutive wins, the City College women’s basketball team knew it would take a great opponent to beat their team. They did not expect to be defeated by a team coming in with a 9-9 record.

With a result of 96-81 the Chabot Gladiators handed the Rams their first loss of the season by hitting numerous three-pointers, and holding off every Ram rally in the second half to pull off the upset.

The first half of the fast-paced and entertaining ballgame was a back and forth affair in which both teams showed red-hot offense play. Chabot jumped to a lead of 26-20, when City College head coach Jamie Wong called a timeout to settle her team. It worked, the Rams went on a 20-6 run to go up 40-32.

Chabot though, with hot shooting from guard Dezzirae Cafferata, closed the gap and eventually tied the game before Rams guard Brittani Allen ended the half with a buzzer beater to put the Rams up 44-42.

“We tried to make various adjustments to stopping Chabot,” Wong said. “We played zoned, pressed and played man. Chabot was a better shooting team last night.”

In the second half, Chabot continued its hot shooting as they went on a 15-1 run to go up 57-45, and took a lead which was unrelinquished for the rest of the game.

With only four minutes left, the Rams fought back and cut Chabot’s lead to one point. But Chabot guard Rose Thompson took matters into her hands, making it difficult for the Rams defense to make key stops down the stretch.

On three consecutive possessions, Thompson nailed two three-pointers, and a two-point jumper to extend the Chabot lead to 9 points and the upset was complete.

“I am disappointed with the loss, especially being a conference game,” Wong added. “However, I expect us to bounce back and be ready to go for next game. Our goal is still to win the Conference and despite the loss, I am very optimistic about it.”

Sophomore center Courtney Buster also knows this is just one loss, and her team must shake it off quickly. “Were not gonna sit here and sulk, and feel bad for ourselves,” Buster said. “Were just going to come back ten times harder and win this thing.”

The Rams, whose record dropped to 22-1(0-1) will play their next game here at the Wellness center Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. against the College of San Mateo.