el Don News
By Vanessa Cortez
The defensive plays of guard Kelly Smit and forward Jazmine Johnson out rally Bakersfield College Tuesday 93-78.
“Our defense starts our offense. If we don’t have a good defense, then we don’t have a good offense,” Smit said.
Smit finished the first half with four points and four assists but came out in the second half focusing more on defense than offense recording four steals. Smit’s defense may have boosted her shot confidence. As she made both second half attempts opposed to 1-5 in the first half.
Johnson had an outstanding game on the glass. She grabbed 16 rebounds, almost seven more than her season average.
Guard Ashley Whisler ended the night with a game-high 29-points, pushing her season average to 20.6. That average is enough for first place in the Orange Empire Conference. She shot 7-13 from the field and had five assists.
“Basketball is a team sport, but everyone has to come and contribute their strength,” Dons Head Coach Flo Luppani said.
The Dons (4-3) next game is at MiraCosta College (0-4) on Thursday Dec. 5 at 8 p.m
