East Los Angeles 79 - Orange Coast 72
The East Los Angeles Huskies won the first game of the Lady Charger Classic 79-72 over the Orange Coast Pirates. The Pirates got off to a strong start, thanks to a spectacular performance from Jenna Rodriguez who finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds. However, a barrage of three-pointers from Tiffani Martinez helped the East Los Angeles Huskies climb back in the fourth quarter to win. Martinez finished the game with 21 points on 7-of- 12 shooting, including 6-of-12 from three-point range. Yasmine Tweedy finished the game with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Tweedy was perfect from the charity stripe (8-of-8).
Santa Monica 62 – Grossmont 52
The second match of the Lady Charger Classic was a gritty contest as the Santa Monica Corsairs (2-5) earned a hard fought 62-52 victory over the Grossmont Griffins (1-5). The first quarter was a low-scoring affair as the Griffins held an 8-7 lead. Grossmont's lead would be short-lived as the Corsairs came out strong in the second quarter, outscoring the Griffins 23-8 to take a 30-16 lead. Santa Monica never looked back as they pulled away thanks to an outstanding scoring display by Oshaela Gray, who scored 17 points and had five assists. Jazmine Bradley tried to carry Grossmont with an 18-point performance complimented by seven rebounds, but the Griffins were kept in check by the Corsairs' intense defense. Center Mammusu Secka had a solid defensive display, nabbing seven steals and a block to go with her nine points.
LA Southwest 45 – Cypress 106
The defending tournament champions put on a dazzling display for the home crowd as the Cypress Chargers (5-1) dominated the LA Southwest Cougars (0-6), 106-45. The Chargers set the tone early in the game with their tenacious defense and scored most of their baskets off turnovers as they jumped to a 37-2 lead in the first quarter.
Head Coach Margaret Mohr refused to let her team get complacent with their lead and continued to get her bench unit to play with the same intensity as the starting unit. In the end, the Chargers bench outscored the Cougars' bench 64-18. Monique Mesa led the Chargers in scoring with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. Dominique Culhno added 15 points, eight assists, and two steals while team captain Erika Nilsen had 11 points and seven rebounds, including five offensive boards.
West LA 46 – Palomar 74
The first day of the Lady Charger Classic concluded with the Palomar Comets winning 74-46 over the West LA Wildcats. The Comets exposed the Wildcats' defense with their ball movement and ability to find an open shot as they jumped to a lopsided 21-9 lead. West LA struggled to overcome the deficit as Palomar continued to extend the lead. Every player on the comets roster made at least one field goal. Regina Sheffield led the team with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Sheffield also caused problems on the defensive end with four steals. Allie Israel tied Sheffield as the team's leading scorer with 15 points and was a perfect 5-of- 5 from the three-point line. West LA's Tatiana Maimot had an outstanding performance with 19 points and 16 rebounds, but her effort wasn't enough to keep the Wildcats in the game.
The Lady Charger Classic will open up Saturday's action with the consolation round, beginning with Orange Coast College facing Grossmont College at 1 PM. LA Southwest and West LA will follow at 3pm. East LA will face Santa Monica at 5PM to open up the winner's bracket and the night will conclude with Cypress College facing Palomar College at 7PM.
