Victory Over Pacific Union
Ros, Young and Betancor Shine
In a season defined by resilience and a grueling schedule, the Stanton University Lady Elks finally found the result they were looking for on Saturday night. In a defensive masterclass at the Darling Pavilion, the Lady Elks secured their first win of the 2025-26 season and their first-ever California Pacific Conference (CalPac) victory, defeating Pacific Union College 44-40.
Preparation Meets Opportunity
The road to this victory was anything but easy. The Lady Elks entered the match with a 0-14 record, a reflection of a non-conference slate intentionally packed with high-level NCAA opponents. This "trial by fire" was designed to sharpen the team's defensive rotations and mental toughness for the rigors of CalPac play.
On Saturday, that preparation paid off. Despite a slow offensive start for both teams, Stanton's defense remained suffocating, forcing 26 turnovers and holding Pacific Union to just 25.4% shooting from the field.
Top Performers: Dominance on the Glass and Clutch Scoring
While the team victory was a collective effort, several individuals delivered career-defining performances to ensure the Lady Elks stayed on top.
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Nicole Ros: The Offensive Anchor Ros led all scorers with 17 points, proving to be the most reliable option when the Elks needed a bucket. She was particularly lethal from the charity stripe, shooting a clutch 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to seal the game in the closing minutes.
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Najharae Young: A Masterclass in the Paint Young put up a stat line for the history books, recording a massive double-double with 11 points and a staggering 21 rebounds. Her defensive presence was equally felt as she swatted away 6 blocks, effectively erasing any easy looks for the Pioneers.
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Isabel Betancor: The Spark Plug Coming off the bench, Betancor provided the energy Stanton needed to swing the momentum. She contributed 8 points and was a pest on the perimeter, recording 3 steals and 3 assists in 29 minutes of play.
A Turning Point in the Season
The Stanton (CA) faithful saw a team that refused to break. After trailing 11-9 in the first quarter, the Elks locked down in the second and fourth periods, outscoring Pacific Union 16-12 in the final frame to pull away.
With their first CalPac win now in the books (1-1), the Lady Elks have proven that their early-season challenges against NCAA powerhouses have built a foundation capable of competing with anyone in the conference.
