W. Basketball: Izabella Apodaca hits game-winning three-pointer

W. Basketball defeated West LA on a last-second shot
W. Basketball defeated West LA on a last-second shot

Trailing for most of the game, the Cerritos College women's basketball team got a three-pointer from sophomore Izabella Apodaca (La Serna HS) with :02 seconds left to lead the team to a 43-41 win over West Los Angeles College on Friday night. The win improves the Falcons record to 5-2, with the team hosting MiraCosta College next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in their home opener.

Trailing, 40-36 with 1:26 remaining, Cerritos got one of two free throws from freshman Ilani Avila (Downey HS) with 1:03 to get a point closer. After the teams combined for three consecutive turnovers, Avila drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 40-40 with :34 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons got a steal from Avila with :14 seconds left, but were called for an offensive foul with :09 seconds remaining. The Cougars Diamond Williams (22 points) made the second of two free throws, giving Cerritos one last chance to win the game. A Falcon timeout set up the play for Apodaca, who received a pass from Avila, took one dribble and hit the long distance shot. West LA did not get off a final shot.

It was a low-scoring game, with Cerritos only generating 17 points in the first half, which included going 2-for-12 from the field in the second quarter with six turnovers. The Falcons got off an amazing 23 shots in the third quarter, but only saw three go into the net, while West LA was a mere 2-for-8 from the field in the quarter.

Avila (five steals) and sophomore Precious Yerena (Downey HS), who also had three rebounds, three steals, combined for 26 of the Falcons points, with freshman Ashley Miller (Paramount HS) adding seven points and six rebounds off the bench. Apodaca ended the game with six points, while sophomore Therese Zekajj (Legacy HS) pulled down six rebounds for the Falcons.