Women's Basketball Rises To State #24 Ranking

Crystal Smith grabs a rebound in a recent game (photo by Richard Quinton).
Crystal Smith grabs a rebound in a recent game (photo by Richard Quinton).

The Pasadena City College women's basketball team was ranked #24 in the Final CCCWBCA State Top 25 Coaches Poll released on Tuesday. The Lancers will close out the regular season on Friday, Feb. 23 on Sophomore Night v. Rio Hondo College.

PCC will honor three transfer sophmores--guards Antuanae Garrett, Vanessa Epperson and center Crystal Smith--in a pre-game ceremony for the 7 p.m. contest at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium. 

The Lancers (16-10 overall) will place second in the South Coast Conference North Division (5-2 record) after falling at home v. state #2-ranked and conference champion Mt. San Antonio, 69-62, on Feb. 16. It was the team's second loss to the Mounties in conference play and 12th straight defeat v. the perennial state power from Walnut.

Pasadena fell behind by as much as 16 in the fourth quarter at 59-43 before going on a 16-4 run to send a scare into Mt. SAC (24-2, 6-0). Abigail Saville's jumper cut the lead to four at 63-59 with 3:27 left. Unfortunately for PCC, the team missed its next five shots from the field as the Mounties closed out their triumph.

"Twin" Garrett scored 19 points with five assists and three steals while Lamia Daley added 16 points and five rebounds. Saville added 13 points and seven boards, Smith eight points and five rebounds, and Epperson six points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. 

The Lancers accepted a forfeit by LA Trade-Tech on Feb. 14 as the Beavers had player availability issues. 

Garrett is trying to become the 38th player to reach 500 points as a Lancer, but is 58 points short with one regular season game and the playoffs left to be played.

Postseason playoff seeds are influenced greatly by the Total Season Ratings Percentage Index (TSRPI). Right now, the Lancers are #15 in the SoCal Region (31st in the state) at a .541 rating. Twenty-four teams will make the playoffs, which begin Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Twin Garrett fires a pass while on the floor v. Mt. SAC

 

"MJ" Daley goes up for a layup