In years past, the Pasadena City College women's basketball team has relied often on one key player to spark the scoring. For the 2022-23 squad to be successful, a number of players will have to step up offensively and do the hard work in other areas.

That was the case on Friday as PCC rebounded from a season-opening loss to Antelope Valley by defeating host Bakersfield, 69-50, in a non-conference game. 

Among the players making a difference were sophomore point guard Maiya Villanueva, who scored nine of her 14 points (and six assists) to help PCC build a 25-13 lead after one quarter. In the second quarter, it was bench players like Bryannae Robinson, who scored six points and made two steals, and Arianna Rayford with three points and five rebounds who were instrumental to build the advantage to 19 points and 40-26 by halftime.

After Bakersfield made a run to cut it to 48-42 after three periods, the Lancers responded on a Rayford layup, a Villanueva trey, a layup by Haylie Sagarra on a steal by Villanueva that built the lead back to 13. In the latter part of the period, post player Tena Ikidi scored 10 points and pulled down eight boards to cap the 19-point victory.

Ikidi finished with 13 points and 10 boards, despite sitting for foul trouble for most of the middle two quarters. Rayford added 10 points (8-for-10 at the free throw line), nine rebounds and three blocks. Robinson collected eight points, five boards and two steals, Sheridan Orange nine points, four rebounds and two steals, Sagarra five points, four boards, three steals, and three assists, Naomi Turner five points and five rebounds, and Emily Trinh grabbed eight boards.

PCC made 22-of-36 free throws, but were extra effective by going 9-for-10 in the second quarter. The Lancers outrebounded Bakersfield, 55-37. 

The Lancers now host the round-robind, Sisterhood of Champions Tournament at PCC's Hutto-Patterson Gymasium Nov. 10-12. Pasadena's first home debut takes place Thursday in a 3 p.m. game v. Santa Monica College. 

"Pretty much the whole team contributed to our win v. Bakersfield and now we need to continue that type of team-oriented play at our tourney," said PCC head coach Joe Peron. "We have depth this year and we're going to need our reserves to pick up the slack when starters are struggling or in foul trouble."

PCC SISTERHOOD OF CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 10-12
at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium