January 11, 2020 (Sacramento, CA)

The Hawks started their week on the road taking on #1 state ranked San Joaquin Delta College Mustangs. The Hawks got off to one of their best starts of the season battling the Mustangs and only found themselves down 6 at the quarter break. Unfortunately the Hawks struggled from the field in the second quarter, only scoring 4 points. The Hawks bounced back in the second half but weren't able to overcome their second quarter struggle, falling to the Mustangs 87-49. Leading the scoring was sophomore guard Ari Butts who had 13 points (5-6 FT line) and freshmen Suraya Cabrera with 11 points (3-3 FT line). Even with the loss the Hawks had one of their best shooting percentages of the season.

Two days later the Hawks traveled up the hill to face the Folsom Lake College Falcons. The Hawks struggled from the tip after playing a tough game two days before and just couldn't quite find their footing. Shooting woes and defensive miss cues in the first half made for a long night for the Hawks. A strong second half push brought the Hawks close but they were unable to find their rhythm and ended the night on the losing end 79-50. Leading the Hawks once again was freshmen guard Suraya Cabrera and sophomore guard Ari Butts (13 points and 12 points). Phenom freshmen Chelesa Shirley came close to tallying her 10th double double of the season but fell one point and one rebound short (9 points, 9 rebounds). The team has been doing a wonderful job sharing the ball and it showed that night as they tallied 10 assists. 

Once again the Hawks found themselves back on the court two days later, facing the #5 state ranked Diablo Valley College Vikings. The Hawks were ready for a battle and it showed as they stepped on the court. The first quarter was a battle and the Hawks found themselves down 19 points but in Hawks fashion they never quit and came back in the second quarter tying DVC 14-14. The second half again found the Hawks fighting for each possession losing the 3rd quarter by 9 and the fourth quarter by only 1. Unfortunately the damage was done in the first quarter and the Hawks couldn't recover. They showed a lot of heart and kept fighting, which seems to be the silver lining of the 0-3 week. No matter what happens, the Hawks never lay down and quit. They fight until the end but couldn't stop CSUB kickback Nia Johnson who tallied 35 points for the Vikings. Freshmen forward Chelsea Shirley was back to her double double ways by leading the Hawks with 15 points, 18 rebounds and 3 assists. Sophomore guard Ari Butts lead the team in scoring with 17 points and also pulled down 8 rebounds. 

The Hawks get a day to recover and then are back at it, traveling to Modesto on Tuesday Jan 14th and then are back home Friday Jan 17th to face non-conference opponent Ohlone College at 5:30pm.