Freshman Rayne Rodriguez (La Serna HS) stole an inbound pass and scored at the buzzer to give the Cerritos College women's basketball team a 62-60 win over visiting Pasadena City College on Wednesday. The Falcons (5-13), who led for almost the entire game, found themselves trailing, 60-58 with 15 seconds remaining after the Lancers Antuanae Garrett converted one of two free throws. The Falcons got the ball inside to sophomore Melana Goodloe (Warren HS), who scored on a lay-up as the buzzer went off.

It was the first win over Pasadena City since a 67-40 victory on January 15, 2016.

The officials decided to put .04 tenths of a second back on the clock. Garrett looked to roll the ball to Jessica Lopez for a final shot attempt, but Rodriguez was able to step in front and scored from under the basket at the buzzer for the dramatic win.

Leading by as many as 15 points as the third quarter was able to end, Cerritos struggled in the fourth quarter and watched Pasadena City (11-8) work their way back into the game. The Lancers outscored the Falcons, 18-4 to take a 51-50 lead with 5:19 remaining. Rodriguez responded with a three-pointer and then added a lay-up to put the team in front, 55-52 with 3:32 remaining.

A three-point play - the fourth of the game by Pasadena City - tied the game at 55-55 after Abigaile Seville converted the play. Crystal Smith put the Lancers up, 57-55 until freshman Jayden Estrada (Anaheim HS) knocked down a three-pointer with 1:32 left on the clock. A pair of Garrett free throws were followed by a Cerritos turnover on their inbound pass coming out of a timeout. Garrett then made the second of two free throws for the 60-58 advantage. That set the stage for Cerritos coming away with the thrilling win.

Estrada and Rodriguez each scored 16 points, with Estrada hitting four three-pointers. Rodriguez scored her 16 points in just 15 minutes of action. Goodloe, who played most of the fourth quarter with four foulds, finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore Damarie Saldivar (Paramount HS) added six points and five assists. The tandem of sophomore Miah Nayback (La Serna HS) and freshman Francine Carrillo (Cerritos HS) each pulled down eight rebounds in the victory.

The team gets a nine-day break, as their schedule South Coast Conference South Division opener against El Camino College next Wednesday has been canceled, as the Warriors suspended the remainder of their season due to a lack of healthy players.

Photos by Daryl Peterson