Using a 13-0 start in the first quarter, the Cerritos College women's basketball team turned in their third straight lopsided win, as they posted a 77-42 South Coast Conference South Division win over visiting Los Angeles Harbor College on Wednesday. In their last three games, the Falcons (15-10, 4-1) have defeated their opponents by an average of 47 points as they stay one game out of first place in divisional play. The team will play one of their bigger games of the season on Friday at 7:00 p.m. when they host rival Long Beach City College. Cerritos currently sits in second place in the division and are one game ahead of the Vikings (10-13, 3-2), who they defeated 81-72 in their first meeting.
Against the Seahawks (10-13, 2-3), sophomore Serena Rendon (Carson HS) converted a three-point play, while sophomore Jesenia Rendon (Carson HS) drove the lane for consecutive layups in helping the Falcons build their early 13-0 lead. By the end of the first quarter, Cerritos held LA Harbor without a field goal and led, 25-5.
It was a 34-6 Falcon lead before the Seahawks recorded their first basket, which took 12:52. The big lead was maintained the entire evening, with LA Harbor closing to within 17 points (40-23) with 9:17 left in the third quarter.
Although both teams had their struggles from the field, it was the aggressive approach of the Falcons on both ends of the court that allowed them to control the game from beginning to end. The defense forced 30 turnovers on the night and turned them into 31 points, while they limited themselves to just eight turnovers. In the game, 10 of the 11 players in uniform scored and recorded at least one steal and one rebound.
Jesenia Rendon capped off the night with 21 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Serena Rendon accounted for 12 points, six rebounds the three steals. Coming off the bench, freshman Sarah Hernandez (St. Paul HS) had another solid night with 11 points and seven rebounds in 10 minutes of action. Freshman Jade Johnson (City of Angels HS) made her presence felt in her time on the court, as she posted eight points, three rebounds and three blocked shots. Sophomore Jessica Gomez (Legacy HS) turned in seven points, seven rebounds and three steals, with four other players scoring four points each.
Photos by Daryl Peterson
