State #15 Long Beach Upends #23 Women's Hoops

Vanessa Epperson is defended by LBCC's Brillana Boyd during Friday night's loss (photo courtesy of Steve Solis).
Vanessa Epperson is defended by LBCC's Brillana Boyd during Friday night's loss (photo courtesy of Steve Solis).

After not playing for a month, state #15-ranked Long Beach City College came to Pasadena City College on Friday night anxious to get back in action. LBCC gained momentum in the second half and controlled the boards overall in sending the #23 Lancers to a 74-62, South Coast Conference crossover defeat.

PCC dropped to 11-7 overall in getting outrebounded, 49-30, while LBCC upped its mark to 8-7 behind a game-high 25 points by Brillana Boyd. 

The Lancers received 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists by Antuanae Garrett.

Second-chance points were a big factor for the Vikings, who outscored PCC, 29-9, on follow-up baskets on the offensive boards, led by 15 total rebounds from Chioma Okenwa. 

For the Lancers, Abigail Saville made 7-for-10 from the field for 16 points plus three steals while Lamia Daley scored 13 points with three assists. 

Pasadena opened a 7-0 lead, but after a timeout Long Beach responded with a 13-2 spurt. Trailing 20-18 after one quarter, PCC found it more difficult to penetrate the Vikings' zone while LBCC was able to combine some strong post plays with a few long-range 3s by Boyd that allowed LBCC to up the lead to 38-31 by halftime.

PCC stayed in catch-up mode the rest of the contest, falling behind by as much as 16 in the fourth period. 

Coach Joe Peron's Lancers return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 17 in a SCC crossover game at Cerritos College. All women's games have 7 p.m. tip-offs.