Pirates advance to State Championship with 73-58 win over Lasers

COSTA MESA -- For the first time in 17 years, the Orange Coast College women's basketball team is heading back to the "Big Dance" after the Pirates topped rival Irvine Valley, 73-58, on Saturday in the third round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs inside the Peterson Gym.

The top-seeded Pirates (29-1) keep this magical season alive and have reached the promised land of the California Community College Athletic Association Women's Basketball State Championships, which begin on Thursday at West Hills College Lemoore. Opponent and time will to be determined later.

"I am so proud," a drenched head coach, Sammy Doucette said after the win. "We have stressed togetherness and toughness and they just locked in. They're so selfless and just a special group."

Annie Trinh led OCC with 27 points, while Meghan McIntyre added 17 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists and Karina Cabrera came through with a strong second half with 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals. 

For the eighth-seeded Lasers (21-9), Trasara Alexander led the way with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but it was a tough night shooting for the guests, who hit just under 35% from the floor (24-of-69) and just 7-of-21 from 3-point range. 

The officials let both teams settle the contest with very little interference as the whistles were held to a minimum. An early 7-5 OCC lead turned into a 19-9 advantage as McIntyre and Trinh carried the Pirate offense while the others found their rhythm.

Coast led 19-11 after the first quarter, but the Lasers pushed back were within two at 32-30 in the final minute of the first half. But, a layup from Savannah Seiler and a 3-pointer from Cabrera in the final seconds pushed OCC's advantage to a more comfortable 37-30 at the break.

The game was won for the Pirates late in the third quarter. With 2:42 left in the third, Coast led, 45-40, but over the next 7:42 of the game, Coast went on a 25-4 run to lead 70-44, all but sealing up the win for the Pirates.

The last trip to the state tourney for the Pirates came 17 years ago, when Coast qualified and reached the State Final Four back in the 2005-06 season.