Pirates come alive with 75-69 win over Cuesta

COSTA MESA -- Dayanara Armenta had 25 points to lead the Orange Coast College women's basketball team to a solid 75-69 win over Cuesta College in Day 1 of the 2012 Erin Tomlinson Coast Christmas Classic on Friday at OCC's Peterson Gym.

Armenta drained five 3-pointers on her way to her season high scoring output.

Strong starting support was turned by several OCC players in the win. Jessica Johnson added 19 points (8-of-11 shooting) and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Jenna Arnett also chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Michelle Angel added 11 points and dished out five assists, while point guard Caitlin Bunting helped make the offense click with a game-high eight assists for the Pirates (4-4).

Courtney Chadwick led the Cougars (7-3) with 24 points, while Aria Johnson added 18 points and 10 rebounds.

In other Coast Christmas Classic action ... 

SOUTHWESTERN 50, CHAFFEY 49 -- The CCC got off to an exciting start as the Southwestern Jaguars (5-6) edged the Chaffey Panthers (6-4).

After a basket by Ashlee Harper put Chaffey up 49-48, Southwestern's Chelsea was fouled with seven seconds left and she calmly stepped up and drained both free throws to give the Jags a one-point lead. 

Southwestern had three shots in its final possession to win the game, but the shots didn't fall.

Shanesha Clayton led the Jaguars with 13 points, while Ball added six points and a game-high 16 rebounds. 

Harper (nine rebounds) and Brittany Richardson each had 12 points for Chaffey, while Bree Ball controlled the boards with 11 rebounds.

COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS 69, IRVINE VALLEY 66 -- In a game that saw the Lasers (7-6) lead throughout, a late, second-half run by the Cougars (6-4) proved to be the difference.

The Cougars trailed by as many as 14 midway through the second half and by nine with 5:31 left before ripping off nine straight points over a four-minute span to tie the game at 63.

Trailing 66-65 with 13 seconds left, Cougars' guard Mariah Howard came up with a huge steal and score on a breakaway lay-up to give Canyons the lead. After a missed 3-pointer by the Lasers, Hope Smith iced the game with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

Smith finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead Canyons, while Howard and Jennifer Franco each added 10. IVC was led offensively by Jasmine Kennon (19 points) and Shomari McCorkle (15 points, nine rebounds).

SADDLEBACK 69, PALOMAR 60 -- The Gauchos (8-7) used a 16-8 run late in the first half to grab a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way, despite a relentless effort by the Comets (6-4).

Myishia Watkins led Saddleback with 19 points and eight assists, while Karla Roacho-Cota chipped in 15 and Brooke Wright added 14.

Palomar's offensive contributors included Florentina Mendoza (11 points) and Bianca Littleton (10 points).

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE

1 p.m. -- Chaffey vs. Irvine Valley (consolation semifinals)

3 p.m. -- Cuesta vs. Palomar (consolation semifinals)

5 p.m. -- Southwestern vs. Canyons (championship semifinals)

7 p.m. -- Saddleback vs. Orange Coast (championship semifinals)