Lady Huskies Upset Sixth-Ranked Mt. SAC 69-68
WALNUT, CA — The East Los Angeles College women's basketball team shocked defending state champion Mt. San Antonio College 69-68 in a South Coast Conference North game with a buzzer beating shot.
Sophomore forward Monica Garcia (Garfield High School) scored a put back with four tenths of a second left on the clock and the No.11 Lady Huskies won for the second straight year at Mt. SAC.
“This big-time game was played in a hostile environment,” said Turner. “Mt. SAC’s exceptional 3-point shooting in the second half kept it close while we had a defensive breakdown, but we put it together for the win.” Mt. SAC hit seven of the eight 3-point shots in the second half.
The opening quarter was a see-saw battle with eight lead changes and four ties and ended with ELAC in the lead 19-15. The Lady Huskies controlled the second and third quarters with double digit leads all but 36 seconds during the two frames.
ELAC outscored Mt. SAC 15-7 in the second quarter and shot 50 percent (6-of-12) to Mt. SAC’s 6.3 percent (1-of-16) and had four assists to Mt. SAC’s one.
“We played unselfishly and took our time to score and when we do that we play well,” said ELAC Coach Bruce Turner. “They were running a certain play and we finally made an adjustment to stop it.”
Mt. SAC put together a fourth quarter rally that included hitting five three-point baskets. The quarter had eight lead changes and four ties. Mt. SAC tied the score at 55-all with 5:48 remaining in the game, its first tie since the first quarter. After a back-and-forth battle, Mt. SAC scored and led 68-67 with eight seconds left in the game.
An ELAC attempt with two seconds left bounced off the rim. Garcia’s focused reaction and heroic put back gave ELAC the exciting win. “We played our game and this was another great win for the Lady Huskies,” said Turner.
The two teams meet again in the second half of conference play at ELAC on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Both teams tied for the SCC North title last year. While Mt. SAC has four veterans on this year’s squad, ELAC is playing with a different team. “Garcia is the only returnee from last year’s 28-3 ELAC team,” said Turner.
Freshman forward Dominique Godbolt (Fairfax HS) scored a team-high 23 points, a game-high 13 rebounds and had two key steals. Garcia, also had a double double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. She contributed three assists.
Sophomore forward Stevi Hall (Harrisburg, PA / Harrisburg HS) and freshman guard Jaelynn Curley (Ganado, AZ / Ganado HS) each scored nine points for ELAC. Hall finished with five rebounds, three from the offensive glass, and three steals while Curley connected on two 3-points shots, the only treys from ELAC.
Freshman guard Jennifer Pool (Legacy HS) had a game-high six assists and added two steals. Mt. SAC was led by sophomore guard Dominique McLaughlin (Etiwanda HS) who scored a season-high 30 points.
With only four home games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Huskies host two SCC North games next week. ELAC hosts Rio Hondo College on Wednesday, Jan. 24 and hosts crosstown rival No. 12 Los Angeles Trade Tech on Friday, Jan. 26. Both games begin at 5 p.m.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).
submitted by Tadzio Garcia