Sophomore guard Shakeena Benton (Lakewood HS) torched visiting Los Angeles Harbor College for a career-high 33 points to help lead the No. 6 state-ranked Long Beach City College women's basketball team to a 99-52 South Coast Conference South Division win on Friday in the Vikings' home opener at the Hall of Champions Gym.
Benton was nearly perfect from the field as she made 13 of 16 field goal attempts, was 2 for 2 from three-point range, and sank 5 of 8 free throws. She also added five rebounds and three steals in just 19 minutes on the court.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Vikings actual trailed winless Harbor midway in the first half. A three-pointer by Carla Barrera gave Harbor a 15-9 advantage at the 13 minute mark. But Long Beach responded with a 12-0 run to jump back out in front 21-15 and never looked back.
LBCC was up 51-26 at halftime and outscored the Seahawks 17-2 to open the second.
Freshman guard Jasmine Avalos (South East HS) also posted a career-high with 16 points off the bench. She made just three field goals but was 9 for 12 from the free throw line and added four rebounds and three assists. Sophomore center Crystal Cockerhan (Poly HS) had a team-high nine rebounds for LBCC to go with eight points and two blocks.
Harbor (0-13, 0-2 SCC) was led by Kiana Angel's 16 points and 12 rebounds. Barrera also chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Long Beach, now 15-2 overall and 2-0 in the SCC South, returns to action on Wednesday (Jan 15) at 7 p.m. when it hosts cross-town rival Cerritos College.
