When Lupe Vazquez hit a layup early in Wednesday's game at East Los Angeles College, the state-leading scorer became the fastest to reach the Pasadena City College women's basketball 500-point club. She performed the feat in just 19 games played thus far in 2021-2022.
Vazquez finished with 28 points but the Lancers band of five (no reserves available due to injuries) wasn't enough against state #8-ranked ELAC in a 69-59 defeat. Vazquez, a freshman guard, added 10 rebounds, three assists, and was 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
The Lancers led briefly, 13-12, after the first quarter before the Huskies took control in the second period. Naomi Turner had a strong effort with 16 points and six steals, and Samia Dinienne added nine points and 10 boards.
Vazquez's 27.7 points a game average continues to top all players and she is in the state top 10 in 3-point baskets (75, fifth), total field goals made (177, eighth), and free throws made (98, eighth, 77.8 percent accuracy). Her current 528 points places her #32 on PCC's All-Time Scoring List.
The 5-foot-8 shooter, from Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High in Montebello, already has five of the top 11 scoring games in PCC history (see list below)
LANCERS MOST POINTS IN A GAME
48-by Cara Vergo v. Compton, 1989-90
44-by Lupe Vazquez v. MiraCosta, 2021-22
41-by Alisa Shinn v. LA Trade Tech, 2017-18
39-by Anna Shahinian v. LA Southwest, 2010-11
39-by Lupe Vazquez v. East Los Angeles, 2021-22
38-by Biljana Bosanac v. Palomar, 1992-93
38-by Lupe Vazquez v. Antelope Valley, 2021-22
38-by Lupe Vazquez v Imperial Valley, 2021-22
37-by Biljana Bosanac v. Long Beach, 1992-93
37-by Jackie Sadler v. Rio Hondo, 1996-97
37-by Lupe Vazquez v. LA Trade Tech, 2021-22
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TOUGH TIMES FOR COACH JOE PERON
Pasadena is in its worst team slump in head coach Joe Peron's 25 seasons in charge, having won just once in the last 11 games. PCC dropped to 8-13 overall and 1-5 in South Coast Conference North Division play. With just three games left in the season, this will be the lowest win season in Peron's career as he won 12 games in his first season in 1996-97, a year that the team finished at 12-14 and made it into the SoCal Regional Playoffs.
With 547 career victories, Peron's Lancers will miss the postseason for the first time since 2000-2001. Pasadena made the playoffs in each of the other 23 seasons.