The Long Beach City College women's basketball team looked to keep their playoff hopes alive on Wednesday night by facing off against the El Camino College Warriors on the road. In a back-and-forth affair that featured five ties and four lead changes, solid offensive rhythm and poised play propelled the Vikings to a 53-51 victory to keep their playoff hopes intact.
The Vikings got off to a solid start with sophomore forward Ayerjenee Jeanmard (Long Beach, CA) finding her groove from distance early with a three pointer. Freshman guard Tiana Augustus (Long Beach, CA) backed her with two buckets on consecutive possessions with both shots being assisted by sophomore center Miranda Martinez (Placentia, CA). Jeanmard continued to carry the bulk of the load by drilling two shots from the charity stripe followed by another triple. Sophomore guard and sharp-shooter Vivian Hernandez (Downey, CA) added a three pointer leading to a 20-11 advantage after the opening stanza.
The Warriors began to mount a quick comeback in the early stages of the second quarter, but it was quickly halted by a three pointer off the hand of freshman guard Clarissa Rodriguez (South Gate, CA). Jeanmard followed shortly after with a successful and-one play to bring the Viking's lead back to 10 points. However, a quick 6-0 run by El Camino in the final three minutes of the second quarter brought the score to 28-23 in Long Beach's favor.
LBCC saw their lead slip away in the early stages of the third quarter, but remained calm and continued to battle towards regaining the lead. Hernandez brought them within one point at the two-minute mark by hitting a clutch three pointer. Martinez followed two possessions later by hitting two free throws to put the Vikings back on top at 38-37, but El Camino came through in the final 1:30 of the third quarter to capture the lead at 41-38.
Hernandez continued her hot shooting by drilling a three pointer to tie the contest back up at 41-all in the first possession of the fourth frame. A layup from freshman guard Janay Wellington (S.D. Paradise Hills, CA) put the Vikings back on top and a flushed jumper from Jeanmard, extending the Long Beach lead. Clutch free throw shooting in the final minute of the game from Jeanmard sealed the deal as she went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe leading to a 53-51 victory.
Jeanmard finished with a season-high 26 points aided by a 9-for-11 showing at the free throw line. Additionally, she went 3-for-6 from distance. Hernandez was clutch by finishing with nine points all coming from beyond the arc.
The Vikings have won their fifth-straight game and look to remain in the playoff hunt by playing in their final home game this season against LA Southwest on Friday, February 9th at 7 p.m. This contest will feature our Coaches vs. Cancer event and honor the sophomores.