The American River College women’s basketball team was defeated by the second-ranked team in the state, Diablo Valley College, on Feb 13, 97-69 . 

It was the final home game for ARC in the regular season and for a few of the players it was their last home game. To honor the players who were playing their last home game, head coach J.R. Matsunam gave flowers to sophomore players Dejza Boyd-Tanner, Shanice Daniels, and Shantanice Mendoza. 

Diablo Valley started off strong, winning the tip and scoring right at the start of the game. While ARC returned shots, Diablo pulled ahead and by the end of the first quarter, Diablo was ahead by 13 points. 

Diablo’s secret weapon was its full court press, which made ARC cause multiple turnovers and ten second violations as ARC was unable to cross the half court line before the time was up. 

Diablo’s perimeter defense also stopped many three point attempts by ARC and ARC was unable to find a lane and get to the hoop to score. 

While saddened by the loss, freshman Jordyn Hilliard, said she was still optimistic about the rest of the season.

“We play Santa Rosa next and I’m sure we can beat them,” Hillliard said after the game.

Hilliard scored 20 points, making her the top scorer for ARC in the game. 

Sophomore Shantanice Mendoza, who is graduating in May and playing her last season, said she is still excited about winning the next two games and making it to the playoffs.

Mendoza scored 13 points, using her crossover to move past Diablo’s defenders.  

“[I am] looking forward to these last games even though it’s about to be really sad but hopefully beating these last two teams and going to the playoffs,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said she hopes to go into coaching after graduation, and aspires to coach at the college level one day.  

“I just love the game of basketball. I just couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” she said.