Cuesta Women's Basketball made sure to lockdown visiting Los Angeles Mission, after letting Ventura slip through their grasp on Wednesday. The Cougars built a 32-19 lead at the intermission and entered the 4th quarter with twice as many points as the Eagles (ne' Free Spirit), 52-26. The two teams played even, 19-18, in the final period as Cuesta claimed the victory, 71.44. The Cougars improved to 12-8 on the season and 3-2 in Western State Conference play.
Cuesta Point Guard Bella Musolff scored a game-high 18 points, but Cuesta's Forward tandem of Fiona Durham and Kaylee Batten did most of the damage. They who each netted 17 points in the contest, while combining for 17 rebounds and eight assists, in addition to their four steals and four blocks. LA Mission' defense concentrated on stopping Cuesta's all-WSC Guard Reese Pasternik (pict) and they were able to hold her to a career-low five points, but she did enough to make her mark for Cuesta. Pasternik currently holds Cuesta Women's Basketball all -time scoring mark with 855 career points, after surpassing two-time all-WSC Guard Miriam Zabinsky's (2013-14) mark of 838 last Wednesday.
Sophomore Guard Reese Pasternik, as the only Cuesta player on record with a triple-double, currently ranks in the Cougars' Top 10 over a career for points (#1 at 18.2 ppg), rebounds (#6 at 8.3 rpg) and assists (tied for 5th at 3.1 apg) per game for two-year players. Her 42-percent career field goal percentage is also currently 0.6 off the career Top 10 mark at Cuesta, however she currently ranks 2nd on the list from both the free throw (83.8%) and the three-point lines (36.9%).
The Cougars return to the road next Wednesday (5 PM) to open another WSC Men's and Women's Doubleheader at Santa Barbara City. The Cougars do not return to play in front of their home faithful until February 5, when they host rival Allan Hancock to kick-off the second round of conference play.
Cuesta Top 10 Career Point Leaders
1. Reese Pasternik (2024-25)- 855
2. Miriam Zabinsky (2013-14)- 838
3. Madison Collins (2017, 19)- 824
4. Alyssa Palma (2012-13)- 766
5. Kelly Blair (2024)- 734
6. Kati Sheldon (2011-12)- 720
7. Anicia Bonds (1996-97)- 718
8. Courtney Barba (2017-18)- 716
9. Courtney Chadwick (2012-14)- 709
10. Sarah Mavety (1996-97)- 706