Sports in the News

Machado's Bombs Give Women's Basketball Season-Opening Win

Returning sophomore guard Vera Machado was Ms. Clutch Friday night as her long-range shooting helped the Pasadena City College women's basketball team defeat Citrus, 64-58, opening the 2011-2012 season in the PCC-hosted Veteran's Day Classic at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

Pasadena, the No. 2-ranked team in the pre-season regional poll, led 33-31 at halftime, but Citrus took a 46-44 lead on a Gabriella Rodgers jumper with 8:17 left in the game. Machado, a 5-foot-6 shooter from Alhambra High, then went to work. Machado first tied it on a pair of free throws. With 4:54 left, her 3-pointer gave the Lancers a 49-46 advantage. Just 30 seconds later, Machado dropped in another trey, extending PCC's lead to 52-46.

Citrus wouldn't quit as the Owls cut it to two, 52-50. But with 1:27 remaining, Machado hit again, drilling a three to put the game away. Machado finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Leading the Lancers on the scoreboard was returning All-South Coast Conference Second Team forward Marquetta Stokes. The sophomore scored 22 points, pulled down nine rebounds, dished out four assists and made five steals in a fine all-around effort. Letterman center Tonisha Lacey added eight points and 10 rebounds. PCC's all-sophomore starting lineup was rounded out by transfer point guard Tiffany Thompson (six points, three assists, three steals) and returning forward Destinee Sellers (five points, seven rebounds, four steals).

Citrus was led by Brianna Barfield with 18 points and eight rebounds.

The state's No. 7-ranked Lancers will play at 3 p.m. in the championship semifinals against long-time rival and No. 14 Cypress College Saturday, Nov. 12. The game time was placed in the afternoon to not conflict with the start of the PCC Homecoming football game between PCC and Mt. San Antonio at 6 p.m. in adjacent Robinson Stadium. Irvine Valley and Chaffey will play in the other championship semifinal at 7 p.m. If PCC gets by Cypress, the Lancers would participate in the tournament final at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.

VETERAN'S DAY CLASSIC
FIRST ROUND RESULTS
Chaffey 80, Taft 50
Irvine Valley 75, LA Southwest 51
Cypress 78, Southwestern 52
PASADENA 64, Citrus 58
SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
1 p.m.--LA Southwest v. Taft, consolation semi
3 p.m.--PASADENA v. Cypress, championship semi
5 p.m.--Southwestern v. Citrus, consolation semi
7 p.m.--Irvine Valley v. Chaffey, championship semi

[Photo--Vera Machado fires up a 3-pointer during PCC's 64-58 win over Citrus Friday night at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, image by Richard Quinton.]

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

Revised February 8, 2013 by rmlewis@pasadena.edu