Women’s Basketball: Second half sinks LBCC, season ends with playoff loss

No. 10 seeded Cypress College defeated No. 7 Long Beach City College by a final score of 65-52 in Round 2 of the 2012 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regional Playoffs on Friday at the LBCC Hall of Champions Gym.

It was a tale of two halves for the Vikings. Over the opening 20 minutes, Long Beach made 16 of 29 shots from the field (55 percent) and held a 38-33 lead at the break. Freshman Kaaron King (Jordan HS, pictured) led the charge for the Vikings, as she was a perfect 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 at the free throw line to lead LBCC with 13 points.

But the momentum quickly shifted towards the Chargers after the break. Cypress opened the second half with an 8-0 run while Long Beach missed it first five shots and turned the ball over twice. The Chargers went up 41-38 at the 16:05 mark and never looked back.

The game remained close throughout the second as a pair of free throws by sophomore Kala Amico (Whittier HS) got LBCC within four points (52-48) with 5:34 remaining. But Cypress responded with another 8-0 run to jump ahead 60-48 with two minutes to go and put the game out of reach.

After a stellar first half shooting, the Vikings went cold in the second making just 4 of 38 shots (11 percent). Long Beach was outrebounded in the contest 53-43 and allowed 22 second-chance points.

King led LBCC with 21 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Luna Amico (Whittier HS) scored 10 points and sophomore Tamica Cheatham (King Drew HS) added nine points.

Chelsea Walton led Cypress (21-9) with 16 points, four assists, and four steals. Sloan Turner also chipped in with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. The Chargers will face the winner of No. 2 Ventura College and No. 15 Pasadena City College in Round 3 of the playoffs.

Long Beach closes an impressive second season for head coach Michael Anderson with a 19-7 overall record. LBCC made its first playoff appearance since 2007.

Photo by John Fajardo