Sports in the News

No. 2 Women's Basketball To Meet No. 1 Ventura In Rose City Classic Final

The battle of the top two-ranked teams in the state will take place as advertised after the Pasadena City College women's basketball team downed Los Angeles Pierce College, 72-57, in the semifinals of the 12th Rose City Classic Friday night at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

The Lancers, 9-2 record and the No. 2-ranked team, will face undefeated Ventura (12-0), the No. 1-ranked squad, in the tourney's title game Saturday at 5 p.m. Ventura won easily over West Los Angeles, 72-23, earlier in the evening.

The last time the two teams met, Ventura was 34-0 and undefeated before the Lancers shocked the Pirates, 106-93, in the CCCAA semifinals at Fresno's Selland Arena back in March.

Against Pierce, PCC fell behind 11-6 and 22-16 before a 19-7 run sparked the Lancers to take a 39-30 halftime lead. Another large scoring run of 21-6 opened the second half as Pasadena coasted to the win.

Sophomore guard Kim Smith finished the game leading PCC with 20 points and 6 assists while freshman center Dominique Scott added 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Lancers' bench played a key role as it outscored the Brahmas reserves, 19-7, paced by sophomore guard Melissa Fudge with 11 points. Frosh forward Katie Nelson also came off the bench to score 6 points and grab 6 rebounds.

Stephanie DeFrance, a starting guard, added 9 points and 6 rebounds. Candyse Farmer led Pierce with 17 points.

Saturday's Rose City Classic final day schedule:

1 p.m.--Consolation Final--San Bernardino Valley v. Santa Monica
3 p.m.--Third Place--LA Pierce v. West Los Angeles
5 p.m.--Championship--Ventura v. PASADENA

[Photo--Kim Smith drives the lane during PCC's 72-57 victory over LA Pierce College in the semifinals of the Rose City Classic Friday at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, image by Richard Quinton.]

Release Date: 12/11/09
Robert Lewis, Sports Information
Phone: 626-585-7018, Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu

Revised February 8, 2013 by rmlewis@pasadena.edu