Leading the state in scoring average, Lupe Vazquez continues to perform "firsts" in Pasadena City College women's basketball history. At the 3-day, round robin Santa Ana College Tournament Dec. 2-4, she became the first Lancer to ever score 100 points in a tournament.
After her incredible 44-point effort to open the tourney, the 5-foot-8 guard/forward helped rally PCC to hard-fought 53-44 win over San Diego Mesa with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. On Saturday, she poured in 33 points, making seven 3s, and added eight rebounds and four assists as the Lancers finished a perfect 3-0 at the tourney with a 70-58 victory over San Diego City. Scoring 100 points exactly, Vazquez was named the SAC Tourney MVP.
Vazquez is averaging 29.4 points per game. Her 265 total points in nine games leads the state as well as her 43 treys while her 91 total field goals is second in California.
PCC is on a 4-game winning streak and has improved its overall record to 6-3.
Pasadena trailed SD City, 36-35, at halftime, but Vazquez netted 10 points in the third quarter and nine more in the fourth to lift the sqaud. Center Tatiana Ayala also came up big with seven points, 17 rebounds, two blocks and two steals while Kaniya Hill had 10 points and five assists.
Against Mesa, PCC trailed 26-18 at halftime, but in the third quarter it was Vazquez, who was double-teamed and face guarded throughout the contest, who sparked the Lancers on a 16-0 scoring run in turning the game around. She scored a put-back basket, hit a 17-foot jumper, then made a steal and layup that tied the game at 26-26. Maiya Villanueva followed by sinking back-to-back 3-point bombs.
After a Vazquez defensive rebound, she pushed it up floor and eventually Ayala hit a layup that capped the run for a 34-26 Lancers lead. Mesa did not score a third-quarter point until 1:12 left in the period.
By game's end, the Lancers had doubled the Olympian in points in the second half, 36-18. Villanueva totaled 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Ayala was strong again on the boards with 13 rebounds, six points and three steals.
Coach Joe Peron has announced the addition to the roster of Annie Lay, a 5-foot-9 forward who just finished her frosh season as a setter on the South Coast Conference women's volleyball team.
The Lancers won't play again until Dec. 17-18 at the Moorpark Tournament. PCC opens the mini tourney with a 7 p.m. game on Friday, Dec. 17 v. Antelope Valley College.