Freshman Darshana Taafua posted 10 points and 9 rebounds in LBCC's win over Cerritos. (Photo by John Fajardo)
Posted: Jan 15, 2014
Sophomore Shakeena Benton (Lakewood HS) scored a team-high 14 points while freshman Darshana Taafua (Western HS) added 10 points and nine rebounds to help lead No. 4 state-ranked Long Beach City College to a 59-46 South Coast Conference win over visiting Cerritos College on Wednesday at the LBCC Hall of Champions Gym.
The victory was the Vikings' eighth straight and improved their record to 16-2 overall and 3-0 in the SCC.
Just like in Friday night's blowout victory over LA Harbor College, the Vikings once again got off to a slow start against the Falcons. LBCC got off to a 12-5 lead before Cerritos rallied with a 7-0 run to tie the game. But Long Beach responded with a 16-3 run of its own, including six points from Taafua, to jump ahead 28-15 with 2:30 to go in the first. LBCC was up 30-21 at halftime and never looked back.
Just like in Friday night's blowout victory over LA Harbor College, the Vikings once again got off to a slow start against the Falcons. LBCC got off to a 12-5 lead before Cerritos rallied with a 7-0 run to tie the game. But Long Beach responded with a 16-3 run of its own, including six points from Taafua, to jump ahead 28-15 with 2:30 to go in the first. LBCC was up 30-21 at halftime and never looked back.
Long Beach shot just 23-71 from the field for the game, but converted 28 Cerritos turnovers into 22 points. Sophomore Jasmine Williams (Katella HS) chipped in with 11 points and three steals for the Vikings.
Cerritos (9-8, 2-1 SCC) got a double-double from Nia Lateju with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Long Beach returns to action on Friday (Jan 17) at 7:00 p.m. when it travels to LA Southwest College for a SCC game.