Basketball Recap: Emi Kamikihara's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Costa Mesa over University

Costa Mesa lost against University back in December of 2016 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Saturday. The game between the Costa Mesa Mustangs and the University Trojans didn't end well, with the Costa Mesa Mustangs falling 44-29. The Mustangs were down 40-16 at the end of the third quarter, which was just too much to recover from.

Several Mustangs players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Emi Kamikihara, who posted nine points along with five boards and three steals. Kamikihara has been hot for a while, having posted two or more steals the last 12 times she's played. Aaliyah Terry was another key player, putting up seven points and eight rebounds.

Even though they lost, Costa Mesa smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in ten consecutive matchups.

Asha Highsmith was the offensive standout of the contest as she dropped a double-double on 13 points and ten rebounds. The team also got some help courtesy of Rae Li, who put up seven points.

Costa Mesa's loss was their third straight at home, which dropped their record down to 5-7. As for University, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 5-10.

Costa Mesa and Chino Hills will round out the year against one another at at 4:20 p.m. on Friday. Costa Mesa is facing Chino Hills at the right time seeing as Chino Hills is stuck on a three-game losing streak. As for University, they will take on Wilson at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.