August 02, 2015

Pro-Am season ends on a losing note for Cardinal players

The San Francisco Pro-Am ended in disappointment for two Stanford women’s basketball players and an alum as their team, Bay City, lost 79-66 to Mission Recreation Center on Aug. 1 at Kezar Pavilion.

Bay City, which includes freshman forward Shannon Coffee, freshman guard Marta Sniezek and guard Markisha Coleman, ’07, never led but did stay within striking distance, narrowing the gap to 5 points early in the third quarter.

Even though Bay City had 10 players and Mission Rec had eight, Mission Rec won the game by capitalizing on Bay City turnovers, outrebounding the opponent and pouring in 3-pointers.

The winning team also outmuscled Bay City in the paint. Thus the previously high-scoring Shannon was held to 5 points, five rebounds and a block. Because she was guarded so closely and so physically, her teammates had a hard time getting the ball to her.

In addition, Shannon’s time was limited after she picked up her third foul in the second quarter and went to the bench. She was in and out during the second half but had only one more foul.

Marta had 2 points, three rebounds, three steals and an assist. Markisha added 1 point, two rebounds and one steal. Like Shannon, both were in and out of the game.

Coming into the game, Bay City had a 4-1 record. Its only loss was at the hands of Mission Rec in the first game, which Shannon and Marta missed because they were just getting settled on campus.

Mission Rec was undefeated. After the game, when trophies were presented to the coaches of both teams, it was announced that this was Mission Rec’s sixth championship in seven years.

About a dozen Stanford fans were among the estimated 125 people at the game.

As they have done in previous games, Shannon and Marta crossed the court after the game to thank their fans for coming.

They said they were glad to have spent some time with junior forward Erica “Bird” McCall. Bird was on campus for a few days to help with a hoops camp after earning a gold medal with the undefeated USA team in the World University Games in South Korea.

The freshmen said they have two more weeks of school before heading home for a month. They’ll return to campus Sept. 15. Classes start Sept. 21.

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