Cuesta Women's Basketball dismantled Oxnard, 78-36, in front of their home crowd on Wednesday, as the Cougars make their push for second straight playoff berth. Cuesta took control of the contest from the opening tip and made quick work of the visiting Condors by jumping to a 20-10 lead in the first quarter. Cuesta still had their foes doubled up at the intermission, 36-18, and put the game away after halftime by doubling their lead to 36 points during the Third Quarter. Oxnard's 11-point final quarter was the Condors best offensive performance of the night, but not enough to dent the Cougars lead. All-WSC Guard Reese Pasternik dominated the game on both sides of the floor. Pasternik netted a game-high 25 points, while also filling out her scorecard with game-highs of 12 rebounds, six steals and tying teammate Bella Musolff with five assists. Musolff also added 13 points and four steals of her own, but the Cougars owed much of their success to their trio in the paint. Cuesta's three-headed paint production machine was running to perfection with Kaylee Batten, Fiona Durham and Kiera Taylor dominating post play against the Condors. Batten was the Cougars' second leading scorer with 16 points, while also dishing out four assists and grabbing seven rebounds to lead the way. Durham did her part by grabbing nine rebounds, distributing three assists and knocking down seven points, while Taylor posted her third double-double of the season with 12 points and ten rebounds. The Cougars are 14-10 on the season and 5-4 in Western State Conference play.
Cuesta's Cagers have only three games remaining on their regular season schedule and are eager to earn a second straight playoff berth. The Cougars are currently ranked 20th in the CCCAA Southern Regional, which welcomes an opening field of 24 post-season teams. On Saturday (3 PM), the Cougars have another shot at their "White Whale", when they travel to Ventura. The Cougars have not beaten the Pirates since 1995, despite a close call last month and a one-point loss last year.
