By Robert Nilsen

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College women's basketball team (16-6, 4-1 OEC) defeated the visiting Riverside Tigers (15-7, 2-3 OEC) 82-72 at home on Friday night. The Chargers entered the game ranked No. 17 in the state and No. 10 in the south. The Tigers entered the game ranked No. 11 in the south.

Sophomore guard Sylvia Garcia led the Chargers with 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Sophomore guard Dominique Culhno led the Chargers with 7 assists and 4 steals while contributing 11 points. Freshman guard Gabby Carbajal was a force on the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds along with 10 points. 

Britney Gonzalez led the Tigers with 31 points. 

The Chargers began the game slowly as the Tigers raced out to a 6-0 lead. Slowly Cypress chipped away and came back to lead 20-19 at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers took advantage of Cypress shooting 23% in the second quarter, as they would outscore the Chargers 19-11 to take a 38-31 lead into halftime. 

Riverside scored on their first possession of the second half to take a 40-31 lead, their largest of the game. However, the Chargers amped up their pressure resulting in a 17-0 run half way through the third quarter. Cypress grabbed hold of a 48-40 lead that they would not relinquish. The Lady Chargers forced the Tigers into 9 turnovers and outscored them 33-7 in the third quarter to take a commanding 64-45 lead into the final frame. The Chargers took their foot off the gas a little bit in the fourth quarter as Riverside outscored them 27-18, but late free throws by Carbajal iced the game for Cypress as they went on to win 82-72. 

Women's Basketball will return to action at home on Wednesday, Jan. 25 when they take on Santa Ana College at 5 p.m.

Stay connected with the Chargers through social media. Follow Cypress College Athletics on Twitter @CypressChargers. Check in with the Chargers on Facebook/CypressChargers and on Instagram @CypressChargers.