Pirates keep winning streak in tact with impressive victory over Chargers

COSTA MESA -- It was a loud and crazy Peterson Gym on Friday night and the Orange Coast College women's basketball team gave the fans their money's worth as the undefeated Pirates made it 19 in a row with a 63-54 win over visiting Cypress College on Friday night in a pivotal Orange Empire Conference matchup.

"That game was so much fun and I absolutely loved the crowd and playing in that environment," OCC head coach Sammy Doucette said. "I have no voice left and I'm grateful for everyone who came out to watch. I'm so proud of the girls for how focused they were going into that game. They executed the game plan to a tee. They stuck together and beat a very well-coached and talented Cypress team."

Meghan McIntyre led the balanced Pirate scoring with 19 points and added seven rebounds and eight assists for the Pirates (19-0, 3-0 in the OEC). Gabby Samiy overcame a rough shooting night and still found ways to excel against her former team, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Annie Trinh added 12 points and four rebounds, Karina Cabrera tossed in nine points and Savannah Seiler dominated the boards for game-best 19 rebounds to go along with six points.

Chargers' standout guard, Ashley Hawkins, continued her impressive season with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists, but the Pirate defense made her earn every point as she was held to just 11-of-27 shooting from the floor (40.7%) for the night.

Both teams battled back and forth throughout the first half, but, with the score tied at 31, OCC outscored Cypress 16-6 over a five-minute span of the third quarter and grabbed a 47-37 lead. 

The Chargers (14-5, 2-1) showed the No. 2-ranked Pirates why they are also a top-15 state-ranked team (No. 14), using an 11-3 run to get within two at 50-48 with 5:18 remaining in the game.

But the OCC defense clamped down the rest of the way and held Cypress to just four points the rest of the contest, while four points from Samiy and key 3-pointers from Trinh and Cabrera kept the Pirates in front for good.

Coast will return to the Peterson Gym on Wednesday against longtime rival Golden West on Wednesday, beginning at 5 p.m.(TICKETS).