Trailing by 21 points (57-36) with 9:36 left in the second half of their CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoff game, the Cerritos College women's basketball team got as close as 74-69 before falling, 78-71 to host Santa Ana College. The loss ends the Falcons season at 16-12, although the team came close to an incredible comeback.

Cerritos slowly worked their way back into contention by going on an 8-0 run, but could not get under double digits, as both teams traded baskets for several minutes. Once sophomore guard Priscilla Valdovinos (Fremont HS) drained a three-pointer with 3:32, the Falcons trailed, 66-58.

Santa Ana scored 14 of their final 16 points of the game from the free throw line, thanks mainly to Ashley Whisler, who netted 8-of-8 in the second half and was 16-for-16 on the night, which enabled her to lead all scorers with 35 points. The Falcons hurt their chances due to their 11-of-20 shooting from the charity stripe in the second half.

Cerritos had a couple of chances to get to within two points, but missed on their final three-point attempts. The Dons rebounded the misses and converted five of the final six free throws.

Playing without sophomore forward Nia Lateju (Norwalk HS), the team's leading scorer and second in rebounding, the Falcons received 18 points from freshman guard Cassidy Carrillo (St. Paul HS), including four three-pointers before fouling out. Sophomore Alii Salone (Gahr HS) also scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while freshman center Selena Romero (Lakewood HS) finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. Valdovinos also added 12 points, while sophomore guard Tache' King (Gahr HS) dished out five assists and posted five steals.

Photos by Daryl Peterson