Sierra Cruises Past Sacramento City, 74-56, on January 17, 2025

Sierra put together a strong team performance to defeat Sacramento City 74-56 in a Big 8 Conference matchup on January 17, 2025. Despite a slow start, Sierra exploded in the first half and never looked back, improving their record to 15-3 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

First Half: Sierra's Fast Start
Sierra dominated the first quarter, jumping out to a commanding 24-7 lead behind strong offensive contributions from Sarah Reuter (14 points) and Katie Leeth (15 points). The Sierra offense was clicking early, with multiple players getting in on the action. Reuter's inside presence and Leeth's shooting efficiency were key as the team shot 35.7% from the field in the first half.

Sacramento City struggled to find any rhythm, especially on offense, where they shot just 27.9% from the field and 41.7% from the free-throw line. Kyshanti King, who led Sacramento City with 20 points, had an off night with only 8-23 shooting. The Panthers had trouble generating consistent offense and found themselves down 42-14 at halftime.

Second Half: Sacramento City Shows Fight, But Sierra Holds Strong
Sacramento City came out more aggressive in the second half, especially in the third quarter, where they outscored Sierra 18-14. King kept pushing, scoring 12 points in the second half, and Kamaya Jones (15 points) contributed as well, but it was not enough to mount a serious comeback.

Sierra's offense cooled down in the third, but they still held a comfortable 56-32 lead going into the fourth. The final quarter saw more of the same, with Sierra staying in control. Although Sacramento City's late surge brought them within striking distance, the Panthers' cold shooting continued to hold them back, finishing the game with just 17 field goals made out of 61 attempts.

Sierra's defense was also key in the win, forcing 26 turnovers from Sacramento City and limiting their opponents to just 35 rebounds, while Sierra grabbed 53 total boards. Reuter and Leeth's solid contributions, along with a strong bench effort, helped Sierra keep Sacramento City at arm's length in the second half.

Key Performances
Sacramento City:

• Kyshanti King: 20 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
• Kamaya Jones: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
• Joyce Mulumba: 6 points, 15 rebounds
• Hailee Hackett: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist

Sierra:

• Sarah Reuter: 14 points, 12 rebounds
• Katie Leeth: 15 points, 2 rebounds
• Jianna Trotman: 10 points, 6 rebounds
• Donelli Allen: 10 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists

Team Stats
Sacramento City:

• 17-61 (27.9% FG), 5-12 (41.7% 3P), 17-28 (60.7% FT)

Sierra:

• 30-84 (35.7% FG), 6-23 (26.1% 3P), 8-14 (57.1% FT)