California Tribal Athletics win NorCal Battle against Lincoln University, 71-55

Pre Game Walk Through/Scout

In a highly anticipated matchup, California Tribal Women’s Basketball faced off against reigning SWS Conference champions, Lincoln University. This game was more than a battle for league dominance; it was a clash of familiar faces from Northern California with former teammates and history between players.

The first half lived up to the hype, as the teams traded leads in a nail-biting 20 minutes. Lincoln edged ahead 37-36 at halftime, but the Lady Eagles came out of the locker room with relentless energy and an unbreakable focus on the game plan.

In the second half, California Tribal Athletics proved too much to handle. Behind a dominant performance in the paint, Nico Mailangi earned Player of the Game honors with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. “Nico was unstoppable,” said Coach Christian Chapman. “Her presence on both ends of the court set the tone for us.”

Keshara Romain joined Mailangi in double-double territory, tallying 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Samaria Velazquez delivered her usual all-around brilliance, keeping Lincoln on their heels. Kristine Scabby brought the spark off the bench in the third quarter, lighting it up with 8 points and 4 steals during a pivotal run that turned the game in California Tribal’s favor. Ranaye Manu stayed poised all game against former team, hitting tough shots and knowing the scout. Kierstin Constantino and Kaylin Brown hit big outside shots in the 3rd to push the lead to double digits.

After the game, Coach Chapman reflected on the team’s preparation and execution:

“This was a complete team effort. We’ve been putting in extra skill work and preparation for games like these, and tonight it showed. We stuck to the game plan, trusted one another, and played with intensity for all four quarters. I’m so proud of our players for their effort.”

The win pushes California Tribal Women’s Basketball to the top of the SWS Conference standings with a perfect 3-0 record.

The Lady Eagles now prepare for a challenging road trip to Los Angeles from January 20-22, where they will face Bethesda, Nobel, and Stanton Universities in three consecutive games—all league opponents. The team is locked in and ready to keep building on their momentum.

Stay tuned as the Lady Eagles look to cement their dominance in the conference during the LA Trip!