Pirates fight hard against Chargers in scrimmage opener

COSTA MESA -- It was just great to get back on the court against a team in a different uniform! After over a year away from competition, the Orange Coast College women's basketball team battled Cypress in a hard-fought scrimmage, with the visiting Chargers coming out on top, 65-41.

According to the unofficial stats in the box score, it was the middle quarters which proved to be the difference as the Pirates were outscored by the visiting Chargers, 31-13 in the second and third periods. 

Coast fell behind 16-9 in the first quarter but managed to hang with the Chargers in the final minutes due to a strong defensive effort and a dominating performance on the offensive glass. That hard work kept the Pirates within four at 17-13, but the buckets were hard to find in the second quarter as the hosts were held to just six points on just 9.5% shooting in the frame. It was more of the same in the third as Cypress outscored Coast, 17-7 in the opening period of the second half and the Pirates couldn't find that run to get back into the game. 

The offense improved in the fourth as both teams scored 17 points, but it was a long night of shooting for the Pirates, who finished the game hitting just 22.6% from the floor and 1-of-18 from 3-point range for the game. 

Ashlee Dorantes led Coast with 12 points and 11 rebounds (unofficially), while Madison Copeland added 11 points and 10 rebounds. For the Chargers, Malia Goldsmith paced the Charger attack with 19 points, while Patricia Lantin and Amiyah Williams each added 13 points. 

The same two teams will take part in another scrimmage inside OCC's Peterson Gym on Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m. No fans will be permitted in the gym due to the COVID-19 pandemic.