No. 6 Lady Huskies Defeat No. 12 West LA 97-90
CYPRESS, CA — The No. 6 Lady Huskies won 97-90 over No. 12 West Los Angeles College in the 34th Annual Lady Charger Classic in Don Johnson Court at Cypress College.
A win in this women’s basketball tournament wasn’t going to be easy for anyone. Five of the eight teams are ranked.
East Los Angeles College, which averages the fifth most points-per-game in the state, came through with a season high 97 points and led from start to finish against a very good West LA team.
The victory for ELAC, 5-2 overall, was the 103rd win for Head Coach Bruce Turner in the last four years.
All ten Huskies scored in the first quarter, which ended with ELAC on top 31-12. The Huskies shot 47.6 percent (10-of-21) and their defense held West LA to 18.2 percent (2-of-11) from the field.
In the second quarter, West LA’s top scorers contributed for 20 points and their defense held ELAC’s top scorer, sophomore Monica Garcia (Garfield HS) who averages 18.8 points-per-game, to three points. ELAC led at the half 53-42. It is the most points the Huskies have scored in a half this season.
Beyond the arc baskets were the difference in the third quarter. West LA connected 4-of-4 three-point shots (57.1%) while the Huskies were 0-of-4. ELAC led 73-69 entering the final quarter.
West LA, a team that has knocked off four ranked teams, got as close as one point, 81-80, in the fourth quarter from a layup by Erianna Gowdy with 5:17 left in the game. The Huskies followed with a 9-0 run and led 89-80 with 3:36 remaining, and 93-83 with 2:19 left.
Freshman forward Dominique Godbolt (Fairfax High School) led the Huskies with her sixth straight double double. She scored 29 points, had 18 rebounds and one blocked shot, each game-highs. Godbolt’s 15.4 rebound average-per-game is the second highest average in the state.
Freshman guard Jaelynn Curley (AZ / Ganado HS) scored 20 points and had nine rebounds. Sophomore forward Monica Garcia scored 15 points and was one of four Huskies with three assists and had two steals. Sophomore guard Teoncea Bennett (Milwaukee, WI / Riverside University) had three assists and two steals. West LA had four Wildcats that scored in double figures, led by Audrina Villela.
The opening round win advances the Huskies, 5-2 overall, to the semifinals in a clash with a tough Citrus College (6-2) squad tomorrow at 5 p.m. The winner could face another ranked team from the Coaches Statewide RPI Poll, No. 1 Palomar College (8-0) in the tournament championship game on Sunday.
Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index and ELAC Huskies Athletics Facebook.
story submitted by Tadzio Garcia