Sophomore Talia Rayford (pictured) had game-highs of 19 points and 15 rebounds to help lead the No. 8 state-ranked Long Beach City College women's basketball team to a 73-48 South Coast Conference win over visiting El Camino College on Wednesday night at the LBCC Hall of Champions Gym.

The victory was the 20th of the season for the Vikings. At 20-4 overall, LBCC is just four wins shy of tying the school-record mark of 24 which has happened twice. Long Beach is 10-3 in conference play, three games back of unbeaten Mt. San Antonio College.

Wednesday night's contest was never in doubt. The Vikings jumped out to a 17-3 lead after three-pointers by freshmen Shakeena Benton and Janissa Zagal, and sophomore Kyrese Montgomery.

Rayford's layup with 6:05 to go in the first gave the Vikings a 29-9 advantage and LBCC was up 43-22 at halftime.

An 8-0 run in the second half, capped by a three-pointer by freshman Destinn Romain, put Long Beach up 62-34 before the Vikings cruised to the easy win.

Long Beach nailed seven three-pointers on the night at outrebounded El Camino by a 51-38 margin.

Sophomore Kaaron King had a good all-around game for Long Beach as she posted 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Benton totaled 12 points and six rebounds while freshman Crystal Cockerhan had eight points, six rebounds, and six blocks.

El Camino (5-17, 2-12 SCC) was led by Afolake Akingba's double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Samone Davis also scored 11 points.

Long Beach returns to action on Friday (Feb. 15) when it travels to Los Angeles Southwest College for a 5 p.m. SCC game.

Photo by Chris Ruiz