With injuries to a pair of key sophomores, the state #13-ranked Pasadena City College women's basketball team thrusted a pair of freshmen into the starting lineup Friday night with sterling results. Guard-forward Pamela Gonzalez scored her season-high of 17 points and point guard Kaniya Hill added 12 points and four steals to lead the Lancers over Cerritos, 68-35, in a South Coast Conference crossover game at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.
Gonzalez, a 5-foot-10 talent from Workman High, scored nine of her points in the first half as PCC (12-4 record) led 18-7 after one quarter and upped the advantage to 21 after two quarters, 38-17. The Falcons (7-9) never threatened in the contest. Overall, Gonzalez was 7-for-13 from the floor, made a trio of treys, and added six rebounds. Hill played intense defense and it resulted in three baskets directly off of her own steals. In all, the 5-4 Hill, from Eufaula, Alabama, finished 6-for-8 from the field and added three assists as she tied for her season high in scoring.
After a sluggish start, sophomore forward Dariel Johnson picked up her offensive game in the final quarter to total a double-double on 11 points and 14 rebounds. All nine of the Lancers who played v. Cerritos scored at least one basket, including regular starting frosh guard Kristal Espinoza with 10 points and six rebounds. Reserve freshman guard Lizette Espinoza (no relation) added two 3-pointers for six points. Starting letterman forward Zaira Velasquez contributed four points and nine rebounds while backup sophomore center Teana DuBose chipped in four points and four boards.
PCC played its fifth straight game without top-scoring point guard Cosette Balmy (injury) and also were without another top shooter in guard Merina Latu. The pair are expected to return to the lineup next week.
For Cerritos, Sarah Hernandez and Precious Yerena each scored 10 points. PCC's zone defense forced the Falcons into a tough shooting evening as they made only 14-of-59 attempts from the field (23.7 percent). Pasadena shot 41.7 percent (30-of-72).
PCC next travels to face Long Beach City College on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Tip-off is 5 p.m. for the SCC crossover matchup.
Pam Gonzalez Kaniya Hill