Cypress, CA – The women's basketball team (20-6, 7-2 OEC) completed the season sweep of Saddleback (9-17, 2-6 OEC) with a 59-48 victory on Friday night.

Sophomore captain Erika Nilsen led the way for the Chargers with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting and three assists. Sylvia Garcia was an asset for Cypress on both ends of the floor, adding seven points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Kara Ito led the Gauchos with 14 points, three rebounds, and two steals.

The Chargers struggled to get it going early as Saddleback continued to get easy baskets. The Gauchos shot 44% from the field compared to 30.6% for the Chargers in the first half. However, the Gauchos 15 first half turnovers kept Cypress in the game as Saddleback entered the break with a 29-25 lead.

Cypress turned up the intensity on both ends of the floor to start the second half. Timely shot making and defensive pressure from the Chargers led to a 14-0 run that was capped off by a three-pointer from Lizette Martinez. Saddleback fought back to make it an eight point game late in the fourth quarter but it was not enough to overcome the third quarter lapse. 

Women's basketball travels to Riverside on Tuesday, February 9 to take on the Tigers at 7PM.

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