Sports in the News

Lacey Rebounds PCC Over Cypress, 64-63

Things were looking grim for the Pasadena City College women's basketball team as it trailed Cypress, 41-33, six minutes into the second half of their Veteran's Day Classic tournament semifinal Saturday afternoon at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium. But just as Vera Machado provided the fire in the team's Friday win over Citrus, it was returning sophomore center Tonisha Lacey's turn to key a Lancers' comeback.

Lacey's 14 points and 19 rebounds, including 15 on the offensive end, propelled PCC and Marquetta Stokes' free throw with 14.6 seconds left proved to be the winning point in the Lancers' 64-63 victory.

PCC (2-0) will face Chaffey, an 86-54 winner over Irvine Valley, in the tourney championship game Sunday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m.

The Lancers overcame a poor shooting performance, just .264 from the field (19 of 72 attempts), and sloppy basketball--35 turnovers--as they rallied against the Chargers. Lacey fueled PCC's offense by controlling the Lancers' basket after missed shot attempts. Lacey took advantage by making 6-for-7 on free throws, all following offensive boards in drawing Cypress fouls. The Lancers converted 23 of 33 attempts to just 5-for-12 by Cypress.

Stokes, who scored 10 points, missed the first free throw attempt and then swished her second attempt. Cypress had one last chance, but a final-second, 3-point shot by Jessica Romero missed the mark.

Machado added 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Another factor in the win was the Pasadena bench led by frosh guard Stella Ghazarian, who totaled nine of her 12 points in the second half. Ghazarian made a pair of 3-pointers and contributed five rebounds and two assists. Ashia Owens also provided some big plays off the bench with two baskets for four points.

Samantha Soria paced Cypress with 16 points and center Sloane Turner added 12 points, 12 rebounds and blocked six PCC shots.

The triumph was career win No. 375 for PCC Head Coach Joe Peron, in his 16th season in charge of the Lancers' program.

VETERAN'S DAY CLASSIC
Nov. 12 Semifinal Results
Consolation
Taft 90, LA Southwest 56
Citrus 68, Southwestern 34
Championship
PASADENA 64, Cypress 63
Chaffey 86, Irvine Valley 54

Sunday, Nov. 13 Schedule
Consolation Title game--Taft v. Citrus, 12 noon
Third Place game--Cypress v. Irvine Valley, 2 p.m.
Championship Final--PASADENA v. Chaffey, 4 p.m.

[Photo--Tonisha Lacey goes up for the shot during PCC's 64-63 win over Cypress Saturday at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, image by Richard Quinton.]
 

Release Date: 11/13/11
Robert Lewis, Sports Information
Phone: 626-585-7018, Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu

Revised February 8, 2013 by rmlewis@pasadena.edu