Pirates go cold late in loss to Tigers
COSTA MESA -- A seven-point lead with just under five minutes remaining wasn't enough for the Orange Coast College women's basketball team as the Pirates fell late to visiting Riverside, 59-49, in Friday night's Orange Empire Conference opener for both teams.
Coast (9-8, 0-1) carried a 48-41 advantage with 4:50 left only to see the Tigers (8-9, 1-0) go on a 18-1 run to close things out.
It was a rough conference opener for both teams in terms of offensive success, but especially for the host Pirates, who shot just 22.1 percent from the floor (15-of-68).
Leilani Chavez led Riverside with 19 points, while Neka Hunter added 18.
Dayanara Armenta was the lone OCC player in double figures with 20 points, but the rest of the team struggled, hitting just 9-of-50 from the field (18 percent). Jalecia Wilson led Coast with 14 rebounds, while Michelle Angel dished out a team-best four assists.
OCC will return to action on Wednesday at Saddleback College, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Coast's next home game will be on Wednesday, Jan. 16 against Santa Ana, also at 5:30 p.m.
