For the second straight game, the Cerritos women’s basketball team used defense to pull away from its opponent in the second half.

In the second half, the Falcons (10-3) held Saddleback to 7 for 32 shooting from the field and outrebounded the Gauchos 23-7 in a 69-43 win in the semifinal of the Coast Christmas Classic Saturday at Orange Coast College.

The Falcons will play the winner of the Orange Coast-Cuesta game Sunday at 4 p.m.

Saddleback pulled to within four points of the Falcons at 29-25 with 5:18 left in the first half.

Cerritos then went on a 14-1 run behind two baskets by forward Antares Vice and a three-point basket each from Emily Osongco and Nicole McCarthy, including the last nine points, to end the half with a 43-26 lead.

The Falcons opened the second half with six straight points on two baskets and two free throws by Vice, all coming off an offensive rebound.

Saddleback made only one of its first 14 shots in the second half, a basket by forward Jennifer Martin.

Cerritos scored four unanswered baskets to take a 68-32 lead, as Saddleback was 2 for 20 from the field with 5:30 remaining.