In their last non-conference game of the season, the Taft College Cougars faced a tough challenge against the Santa Ana College Dons on December 30, 2025.on the road. Despite a valiant effort, the Cougars fell to the Dons with a final score of 71-53.
The game started with Alesha Gordon scoring the first points for the Cougars with a layup, quickly followed by a three-pointer from Laila Gines, briefly boosting team morale. Santa Ana, however, quickly rallied back with Michaela Knenaics and three-point shots, leading to a 7-point gap before Laila Gines tied the score at 7 with another three-pointer. The first quarter ended with Santa Ana in lead by five points, 20-15.
The second quarter saw the Dons extending their lead significantly. The defensive pressure from Santa Ana was high, leading to multiple blocks and steals, culminating in a 19-point lead by halftime, with the scoreboard reading Santa Ana 40, Taft 25.
Entering the third quarter, Santa Ana kept up their robust defense, halting many of Taft's attempts to close the gap. By the end of this quarter, the Dons had further ballooned their lead, ending the period at 55-38. The fourth quarter had Taft showing resilience and improved offense, attempting a comeback. But Santa Ana continued their intense game, finishing strong with a final score of 71-53.
Key performers from Taft included Laila Gines with 11 points, Ella Waufle adding 6 assists and 9 points, and Aubrey Aldan leading with 9 rebounds.
Looking forward, Taft's Women's Basketball team will face College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA, on January 7, 2026.
With their current record at 14-2, Head Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. noted the team's resilience and challenges, stating that despite being short-handed due to health issues, it's crucial for the team to be prepared for every game. However, Lagmay credited that Santa Ana is well coached and was well prepped to for the game. This upcoming game will be a crucial one for the Cougars as they look to bounce back from this setback.
