ROHNERT PARK, CALIF.- Sonoma State Women's Basketball has been on a roll of late having won three straight games and secured a spot in the CCAA Conference Tournament. The Seawolves made sure to save one of their best performances of the year for their final appearance in the Wolves Den on Senior Night as they routed the visiting Stanislaus State Warriors 76-41.
In fitting fashion the team was led by two of their graduating seniors Jayme Blackard and Sheriene Arikat. Arikat matched her season high in scoring with 16 points on an incredibly efficient 75% shooting display from behind the arc. On top of her scoring she pulled down four boards and was active on defense as well with two steals. In fact, her defense has been an incredibly underrated element of her game of late with eight total steals during the team's three game winning streak.
Meanwhile, Jayme Blackard stuffed the statsheet for her team with 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals. Blackard is no stranger to performing at a high level in the CCAA having been named to the All-Conference honorable mention team last season. She has erupted as of late with four of her last five games seeing the Seawolves point guard eclipse double figures in scoring while also handing out 12 assists in her last two appearances.
The Seawolves second unit made an impact as well with trio of Sienna Cherwinski, Eryn Gardner and Jennifer Moreno combining for 23 points. Cherwinski and Moreno swiped five steals as well while also hitting four threes as a duo. Gardner's activity on the defensive end and on the glass was also a big factor as she snagged seven total rebounds and even knocked down a three point shot from the left wing.
While the offense was flowing, the team's defense was outstanding for 40 straight minutes. They held the Warriors to a sub-30% shooting display for the game and in the third quarter limited them to an ice-cold 7.1% from the field. They also forced 21 turnovers which directly led to 20 points for the Seawolves. Lastly, they also crushed the Warriors on the glass winning the rebounding battle 45-31 with seven players securing four or more rebounds.
The Seawolves have officially played their final game inside The Wolves Den for the 2024-2025 season. Yet, there is still a lot of basketball to be played. Coach Des Abeyta's squad will now turn their attention to two final road games before locking in on a making a run at the CCAA Conference Tournament just a few weeks away!
