In their final game of 2022, the Cerritos College women's basketball team struggled with the ball possession, as they dropped a 63-38 non-conference game to visiting Cypress College on Friday. The Falcons (7-9) connected on just 27.7% of their shots and committed 31 turnovers, while the Chargers (12-4) countered with 40% shooting and converted those turnovers into 27 points, Cerritos will resume play next Friday when they travel to Pasadena City College for a 5:00 p.m. South Coast Conference crossover game.

The Falcons opened the game with sophomore Brianna Flores (Norwalk HS) draining a three-pointer and were as close as 12-10 after freshman Bridgette McIntyre (St. Anthony HS) hit a three-pointer with 1:13 remaining in the first quarter. Cerritos tied in the game early in the second quarter on a Valerie Romero (California HS) three-pointer for a 13-13 score and then led, 15-13 with 8:36 left in the first half after a Melana Goodloe (Warren HS) layup. 

After a pair of Flores free throws made it a 17-15 Falcons lead, Cypress went on a 14-0 run and held a 31-19 lead at intermission. It would turn out to be the last lead of the night for Cerritos.

The Chargers continued to add to their lead in the third quarter, with Cerritos converting just 3-of-12 shots and committed eight turnovers. It was a 43-28 game heading into the fourth quarter, with Cypress scoring three late three-pointers after extending their lead to over 20 points.

Cerritos received nine points and five rebounds from Flores, with McIntyre scoring all of her seven points in the first half, while also pulling down four rebounds. Romero produced seven points off the bench, with freshman Cynthia Almanzar (John Glenn HS) dishing out a team-high three assists to go with her five points.

Photos by Daryl Peterson