Coming out with relentless defensive pressure, the Cerritos College women's basketball team scored the first 14 points against MiraCosta College en route to a 71-44 win in their home opener on Tuesday. The Falcons (6-2) will get a week off before they compete in the Irvine Valley College Crossover, with their first game scheduled against Rio Hondo College at 5:00 p.m. on December 3. Cerritos defeated the Roadrunners, 57-49 back on November 12 at the Riverside City Tournament.
The Falcons forced five Spartans (3-2) turnovers during that quick start, which included missing their first seven shots. The transition from defense to offense was very smooth for Cerritos, who received points from five different players to help them get out to a 14-0 start. Although they had some struggles with their shot, it was the overall aggressive approach to their game, as well as their offensive rebounds and second chances that played a big role.
By halftime, Cerritos had 13 offensive rebounds, with freshman Dominique Harrison (John Glenn HS) making the most of her chances under the basket. Of her seven first half points, all three of her baskets came as a result of offensive rebounds. In the span of :40 seconds, the Falcons turned a 29-9 game into a 37-9 lead, thanks to three-pointers from freshmen Cynthia Estrada (John Glenn HS) and Ashley Miller (Paramount HS), while Harrison added a basket.
The Spartans did outscore the Falcons, 21-17 in the third quarter, but a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter made it a 64-34 with 3:35 remaining in the game. Harrison, who finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, accounted for seven of her points in the fourth quarter.
Freshman Ilani Avila (Downey HS) led the team with 15 points and added five rebounds, with Flores finishing with 11 points, five assists and three steals. Off the bench, Miller (seven points, four rebounds) and Estrada (seven points, eight rebounds) joined Harrison in making key contributions.
Photos by Daryl Peterson
March 1, 2022
W. Basketball: Playoff win advances Falcons to 2nd Round
February 27, 2022
W. Basketball: Ilani Avila named division Tri-Player of the Year
February 27, 2022
W. Basketball: Cerritos seeded #18 for SoCal Regional Playoffs
February 18, 2022
W. Basketball: Win keeps Cerritos in tie for first place
February 16, 2022
W. Basketball: Falcons rebound for 66-48 win over El Camino
February 11, 2022
W. Basketball: Cerritos still sitting in first place despite loss
February 2, 2022
W. Basketball: Cerritos posts 30-point win over Compton
January 28, 2022
W. Basketball: Second-half offense propels Falcons to win
January 26, 2022
W. Basketball: Late scoring lifts Falcons to win over LB City
January 21, 2022
W. Basketball: Cerritos returns home to post 66-54 win
January 7, 2022
W. Basketball: Falcons win in first game back since December 19
December 19, 2021
W. Basketball: Team splits two games at tournament
December 10, 2021
W. Basketball: Last-second shot misses and Falcons suffer one-point loss
December 3, 2021
W. Basketball: Late lead slips away and so does victory
November 23, 2021
W. Basketball: Cerritos posts 71-44 win in hope opener
November 19, 2021
W. Basketball: Izabella Apodaca hits game-winning three-pointer
November 17, 2021
W. Basketball: Falcons post 34-point win
November 13, 2021
W. Basketball: Cerritos advances to finals of tournament
November 6, 2021
W. Basketball: Team opens season with split