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Lady Elks Fall To PUC

Heartbreak in Napa

Lady Elks Fall To PUC
Box Score
February 13, 2026

ANGWIN, Calif. — The Stanton University Lady Elks traveled north to the scenic Napa Valley on Thursday night for a highly anticipated rematch against the Pacific Union College (PUC) Pioneers. While the Lady Elks had defeated the Pioneers in their previous meeting earlier this season, both teams knew this time around wouldn't be as simple.

In a defensive battle that saw both teams tied at the end of the first and second quarters, it was PUC that managed a late surge to edge out Stanton in a 58-56 nail-biter at the Covered Wagon.

Back-and-Forth Battle

The game was a mirror image for much of the first half, with both squads entering the locker room deadlocked at 31-31. Stanton found their rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring the Pioneers 18-13 to take a five-point lead into the final frame. However, the Pioneers' defense tightened in the fourth, limiting the Lady Elks to just 7 points while they mounted a 14-point comeback to steal the victory in the closing minutes.

Stanton Top Performers

Despite the tough loss, several Lady Elks turned in standout performances:

  • Sophia Laurel: The spark plug off the bench had a career night, leading all scorers with 25 points. Laurel was lethal from beyond the arc, knocking down 7-of-14 three-pointers to keep Stanton in the lead for much of the second half.

  • Najharae Young: A force on the glass, Young recorded a massive double-double with 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. She also anchored the defense with 3 blocks and 2 steals.

  • Teagan Cohen: Contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds, providing steady perimeter play throughout her 30 minutes of action.

  • Melissa Castro: Controlled the floor as the primary playmaker, dishing out 7 assists to go along with 6 points and 6 rebounds.

Up Next

The Lady Elks (3-18, 1-5 Cal Pac) won't have much time to dwell on the loss as they remain up north. They continue their road trip with a flight further into Northern California to face off against another Cal Pac rival, the Simpson University Red Hawks, in Redding.