Sophomore Talia Rayford (pictured) totaled 12 points and seven rebounds to help lead the No. 8 state-ranked Long Beach City College women's basketball team to a 69-54 win over No. 17 Cypress College on Friday night in an opening-round game of the Grossmont College Holiday Tournament.

The last time the two squads met, Cypress upset the Vikings at home in the second round of last season's Southern California Regional Playoffs.

Sophomore Kaaron King, who totaled 13 points in the playoff loss against the Chargers, had eight points and four rebounds in tonight's contest. Freshmen Shakeena Benton and Jasmine Williams both totaled 10 points.

Long Beach set the tone early by opening the contest with a 7-0 run and was ahead 21-9 at the 8:06 mark. The Vikings took a 36-25 advantage into halftime.

Benton opened the second half with a three-pointer, one of a season-high eight for the Vikings on the night. LBCC shot 52 percent over the final 20 minutes to hold on for the win.

Jeana Magana scored a game-high 20 points for Cypress (8-7 overall) while Sloan Turner added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Long Beach, now 10-1 overall, has won seven straight and will face No. 18 ranked Citrus College on Saturday (Dec. 29) at 5 pm in the tournament semifinals.

Photo by John Fajardo