Napa, CALIF- Looking to bounce back from a four game losing skid and earn their first victory at home against the Yuba College 49ers. The first game back home with school back in session the Storm were hungry for a victory.
Energy and excitement were on high alert for the storm players and fans. The storm were able to jump to a quick 11-2 lead within the first minuets. Defensively the Storm were able to disrupt passing lanes denying the wing entry pass. Secondly, once the ball got into the post help side defense caused trouble for the 49ers forcing multiple turnovers. After a time out by Yuba, the 49ers increase their intensity creating problems for the Storm offense. Ball pressure by the Yuba guards forced the Storm into their old habits taking tough contested shots, and tipped entry passes leading to turnovers and transition baskets. Costly turnovers and inability to stop Yuba in transition game Yuba the lead at half 40-22.
In a quick interview with Coach Ball in between halves, he mentioned "the key was to me more assertive offensively and run the set how it was designed, and we will get the open look. While on the defensive end they need to be more alert, Yuba runs a lot of things and you have to stay mentally engaged to what would come at you."
Coming out into the second half, the storm opened up with a few different players than the original starting five hoping to find some energy from some of the players. Similar to the first half the Storm started on fire, contesting shots and being aggressive early defensively. They were able to go on an early 9-0 run cutting the deficit to 31-40. Soon after the run, Yuba capitalized after a quick shot three lead to a transition three, then immediately a steal on an inbound halted any momentum by the Storm.
Yuba maintained there lead throughout the rest of the game getting it to as much as twenty points. Despite the score the Storm did not give up and began to chip at the lead with seven minuets left in the half. They were able to get defensive stops, but could not cash in on all of their offensive opportunities. The deficit got as low as 10 within four minuets, but missed shots lead Yuba to pull away; leading to a 54-75 loss.
To date the Storm are (3-15) overall, while (1-4) in conference play. The next game will be Friday January 18th at Los Medanos at 6:00pm.