Unable to counter the pressure defense and fast break offense of West Los Angeles College in the first half, the Cerritos College women's basketball team suffered a 76-53 home loss on Friday. The Wildcats (4-1) put 50 points on the board in the first half, while the Falcons (3-3) were able to make some adjustments, but could not come back from a 28-point deficit at halftime. Cerritos will host San Bernardino Valley College at 5:00 p.m. next Tuesday.

West LA also controlled the offensive boards in the first half, as they collected 17 of their 29 through the first half. Most came on second and third chances by Mirakel Davidson, who saw 13 of her game-high 18 rebounds come on the offensive end.

Cerritos improved their offensive output, as well as their half court trap on defense that resulted in numerous West Los Angeles turnovers. The Falcons went on to outscore the Wildcats, 31-26 in the second half, but it was the first half that set the tone for the entire game.

Playing without sophomore Brianna Flores (Norwalk HS), the team's second leading scorer and rebounder, Cerritos received their inside scoring from freshman Valerie Romero (California HS), who scored a season-high 16 points off the bench and also crashed the board for eight rebounds. The team's leading scorer, freshman Bridgette McIntyre (St. Anthony HS), was limited to seven points, but dished out four assists in a supporting role. Freshman center Akayla Burton (El Segundo HS) contributed five points and a team high nine rebounds, with the Falcons also receiving five points from freshmen Denise Cortez (Norwalk HS), Makayla Moore (Norwalk HS) and Damarie Saldivar (Paramount HS).

The bench accounted for 35 points and 15 rebounds on the night.

Photos by Daryl Peterson