ROCKLIN, Calif. - Menlo College struggled mightily to get shots to drop from just about every spot on the floor in a disappointing 67-62 California Pacific Conference loss at William Jessup on Saturday night.
The Oaks had 20 more attempts from the field than William Jessup, but were just 22-of-73 on the night. If struggling to shoot 30.1 percent from the field weren't tough enough, Menlo made just 4-of-20 3-point attempts and 14-of-24 free throws, which may have been the final nail in the Oaks coffin. William Jessup finished 25-of-34 from the charity stripe.
Menlo trailed from the outset, but was right with the Warriors throughout the first half. Trailing 27-19, the Oaks rattled off nine straight points to take their first lead.
In the span of one minute Katelyn Guild scored inside on a putback before Senoj Jones sank a jumper and a 3-pointer to pull Menlo within a point. Guild added two free throws for a 28-27 Oaks advantage with just over two minutes left until halftime.
William Jessup led 33-28 at the break, but couldn't put Menlo away. Stephanie Truong converted a three-point play following a Guild free throw and added a layup to erase a six-point Oaks deficit early in the second half.
A Jones 3-pointer put Menlo up 40-37 with 16 minutes to play and Truong reestablished a one-point Oaks lead with a free throw just prior to the 12-minute mark. Unfortunately, it would be Menlo's final lead. The Oaks tie the game two more times after falling behind thanks to free throws from Brittany Taylor and Truong - the final tie being the 10th of the game - but William Jessup was taking control.
Guild pulled Menlo within two points at 54-52 with three minutes, 46 seconds to play, but the Warriors Lindsey Cesena hit two 3-pointers in a 13 second span immediately after to put the game out of reach.
Truong continued her strong play in conference, scoring 18 points with six rebounds and two assists for Menlo. Jones added 16 points and six rebounds. Guild finished one point shy of a double-double, scoring nine points with 10 rebounds, while Gianna Covarelli netted 10 points.
Aleta Stamps paced William Jessup with 14 points while Teresa Keith scored 13. Each player grabbed six rebounds. Cesena's back-to-back 3-pointers were her only shots of the game.
Menlo is 2-3 in the Cal Pac and 7-11 overall. The Oaks face Simpson (2-2, 3-19) on Thursday at 5 p.m. at home. William Jessup is 3-2 in conference and 7-14 overall.