For the first 16:34 of their South Coast Conference crossover game against visiting Pasadena City College, the Cerritos College women's basketball team was playing even with their opponent. After a basket from freshman Mele Valele (Norwalk HS), the Falcons (5-11) were locked in a 33-33 tie with the Lancers. However, from that point on, the team was outscored, 52-17 and suffered an 85-50 loss. Cerritos will play their next two crossover games on the road, with the first being a 6:00 p.m. contest at East Los Angeles College.

With only seven players in uniform, the Falcons played with a lot of intensity and speed which allowed them to stay close with the deeper and taller Pasadena City (14-3) team. But once the Cerritos players had tired legs, their shots stopped falling, while their limited height allowed the Lancers to get second, third and fourth opportunities on the offensive end. The team also got into foul trouble and finish the final 1:35 of the game with just four players.

The lack of height limited second chance points for the Falcons, who had six shots blocked and were out-rebounded on the offensive boards, 33-12 and 64-36 on the night. It allowed five Lancer players to score in double-figures and out-score Cerritos, 32-2 on second chance points in the game.

In the first half, freshman Angie Ferreira (Long Beach Millikan HS) scored 12 of her 15 points, which included a trio of three-pointers. Sophomore Kaylyn James (Lakewood HS) came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points and added four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Although the team struggled with their shot due to the height advantage by the Lancers, they received 10 rebounds from freshman Crystal Rodriguez (El Rancho HS), along with seven points, with freshman Alexis Clark (Mayfair HS) pulling down five rebounds.

Photos by Daryl Peterson