Pirates hold on for 64-60 win over Chaffey; will host Palomar in tourney finals rematch

COSTA MESA -- Chyann Pendergrass had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists to lead the Orange Coast College women's basketball team to a 64-60 win in the semifinals of the Erin Tomlinson Coast Christmas Classic on Tuesday night inside the Peterson Gym.

The win sets up a tourney title matchup against two-time defending champion Palomar on Wednesday night, beginning at 7 p.m. in rematch of last year's title game. This will be the third time the Pirates and Comets have played this year, with Palomar winning both matchups.

Sydney Driggs added 13 points off the bench as the two top scorers on Tuesday night combined for 7-of-14 from 3-point range, while the rest of the Pirates (10-4) went a combined 0-for-12. 

For the Panthers (9-6), Melanie Henderson led the way with 17 points, while Alexis Frondarina added 15 and Celestine Cazares tossed in 13.

A win on Wednesday by Palomar would give the Comets three straight Coast Christmas Classic titles, equaled only once by OCC in the 25-year history of the event.

Coast carried a comfortable lead through most of the game, including a 15-point advantage with 5:21 left in the third quarter.

The lead was at 14 (60-46) with 4:30 remaining, but a 4-for-15 shooting slump for the Pirates in the fourth quarter enabled the Panthers to sneak back into the contest.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Cazares brought Chaffey to within four at 61-57 with 1:55 left, but Michelle Wu came through with a clutch layup and made free throw to help the Pirates maintain their lead.

In other Coast Christmas Classic action ... 

Irvine Valley 64, El Camino 52 -- In the first of two consolation semifinal matchups, Serena Saba scored 23 points to lead the Lasers (6-6), while Kydell Pearson added 16 points and 16 rebounds. Meghan Peneueta had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who were outscored 31-10 from the free-throw line as the Lasers went 31-of-35 from the charity stripe (88.6 percent).

Cerritos 60, Canyons 49 -- After being outscored 18-7 in the third quarter, Cerritos (3-7) bounced back and used a 23-9 fourth quarter to pull away from the Cougars (4-9) and advance to the consolation finals (3 p.m.). Angie Ferreira had 15 points, while Crystal Rodriguez added 14 points and 16 rebounds. For the Cougars (Morgan Bizzell had 14 points and 17 rebounds, while Gissel Sanchez and Dayna Tanaka each added 11 points.

Palomar 73, Saddleback 57 -- In a battle of 10-win teams, the Palomar Comets (11-2) used a 39-27 second half to prevail over the Gauchos (10-4). Christina Ellis had 16 points to lead the offense, while Kaylee Puckett added 15 points and eight rebounds. The Palomar defense forced 18 Saddleback turnovers as its 10-player depth proved to be too much to overcome. Janae Omusi was force down low for the Gauchos with 23 points, while Irma Ealy added 12 points and 13 rebounds.

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

3 p.m. -- Irvine Valley vs. Cerritos (Consolation Finals)

5 p.m. -- Saddleback vs. Chaffey (3rd Place Game)

7 p.m. -- Palomar vs. Orange Coast (Championship Game).