It is clear that the SoCal No. 15-rated Pasadena City College women's basketball team can control the post v. most opponents thanks to the twin tower duo of center Mercy Odima and forward Alisa Shinn. But opponents with the ability to shoot long-range are finding the 3-2 advantage on baskets a nifty premium.

That was never more evident than on Friday when state No. 14-ranked (and SoCal #8) Long Beach City College netted 10 baskets from outside the 3-point circle while PCC went 3-less, going 0-for-12 from that range in a 68-61 loss to the Vikings. The game was part of a South Coast Conference mini crossover tourney held at El Camino College.

The Lancers (12-8) overall held tough v. the Vikings in a tightly played opening three quarters. PCC led 22-20 after one period and trailed just 52-51 early in the fourth quarter. Long Beach's defense forced the Lancers into a series of turnovers, but it was three 3-point bombs, two in a row by Doylebonet Walker, that were made in a 16-4 scoring run that gave LBCC a commanding 68-55 lead. 

PCC is 7-1 in games that it makes five or more 3s and 9-3 in contests that it has made four or more treys. The team made 16 long-range baskets during a 3-game win streak that LBCC (13-6) snapped. When the team struggles from 3-point range (three or less), it is 3-5 in those games.

Odima (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Shinn (16 points, 11 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles. Shinn has performed that feat 15 times this season and Odima 10 with each in double-double digits now in four straight games. Shinn added five assists and three steals. Merina Latu scored 14 points and Samaiyah Abdullah added eight points. For Long Beach, Walker led all scorers with 19 points (five treys).

Pasadena now enters another tough, SCC North Division run. The Lancers start with a Wednesday, Jan. 17 contest at state No. 11 East Los Angeles College. Then its a Friday, Jan. 19 encounter at No. 12-rated LA Trade Tech. Both games have 5 p.m. tip-offs. PCC returns home to Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 24 when it faces No. 6 and two-time defending state champion Mt. San Antonio.