Pirates take 2-of-3 at season-opening tourney
| 1st - 00:00 | 1 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Orange Coast (2-1) | 95 | 95 |
|
Southwestern (1-2) | 42 | 42 |
SAN JACINTO -- The Orange Coast College women's basketball team opened its 2016-17 season at the Mt. San Jacinto Women's Basketball Tournament last weekend and the Pirates returned home with two wins in their first three contests.
Coast opened the season against Palomar and the Comets rolled to a 70-46 win over the Pirates. OCC struggled from the field, shooting just 25.8 percent (17-of-66) and 14.3 percent from 3-point range (4-of-28). Chyann Pendergrass led the Pirates with nine points, while Megan Lewis and Elizabeth Sakamoto each scored six points.
The numbers improved the following day as the Pirates cruised to a 77-46 win over Citrus College in the consolation semifinals. All-Tournament selection Michelle Wu led the way with 16 points, while Lewis, Megan McCullough and Danielle Obong each had nine points. Coast's relentless pressure on the ball forced 26 turnovers for the Owls as the Pirates jumped out to a 37-19 first-half lead and never looked back.
In the consolation finals, the Pirates put their foot on the gas pedal and blasted past Southwestern, 95-42. It was the first time Coast reached the 90-point mark since Dec. 1, 2012 (a 90-41 win over Butte College).
The OCC reserves -- led by McCullough's game-high 19 points -- outscored the Jaguars' reserves, 66-19, en route to the win.
Sarah Nunes added 15 points and six rebounds, while Obong added 12 points, five rebounds and five steals.
Coast will return to the road this weekend at the College of the Sequoias Tournament and will face Merced in the opener on Friday, beginning at 4 p.m.
