Cerritos Falcons’ women’s basketball team won their third straight game as they beat conference rival Long Beach City College Vikings, 61-49.
Head Coach Trisha Kozlowski felt proud of how the defense was plaed.
“We hang our hats on defense, and we did that today…a team that averages 67 a game we held them to 49,” she said.
Falcons forced a total of 17 turnovers which lead to plenty of fast break points.
“Thats our rival…and we want to come in and protect our house…In front of our fans.”Coach Kozlowski said as she wanted the players to go out and have fun as they faced off against Long Beach City College.
In the first quarter Falcons jumped out to a 16 – 4 lead.
Combined No. 24 Guard Serena Rendon, No. 20 Guard Jesenia Rendon and No.15 Forward Alexis Clark had 14 of the total 16 points in the first quarter.
Serena Rendon (3), Jesenia Rendon (5) and Alexis Clark (6).
“Long Beach left a lot of open space; once they drew their two defenders I was wide open,” is how Clark explained how she made herself available to score points off easy dump down looks from her teammates,” she explains how she made herself available during the game.
Control over the game was a key point according to guard Jesenia Rendon.
“Control of tempo and pushing the ball when we needed to…lead us to slip away,” she said.
Frustration started to mount in the second quarter as Long Beach City College began to pressure the Falcons the length of the court.
By the time it was halftime the Long Beach City went on an 17-7 run to bring the Cerritos Falcons lead to only 2 points, 23-21.
Pressure still mounted on the Falcons Jesenia Rendon explains that them getting in to foul trouble and turning the ball over is what caused Long Beach City to get back into the game.
As the third quarter ran on, the Falcons started to rally together and finally get their offense going.
“We started to get on the same page and we started to work together with each other more; we just stayed in the game,” Clark said.
“I think is was taking an opportunity to see what they were going to give us; we knocked down some really big shots,” is how Kozlowski explained their resurgence to take a 10 point lead leading into the fourth quarter.
It was the Falcons game to lose in the fourth quarter
They finished the Long Beach City Vikings of 61-49 as the Falcons poured in the buckets from beyond the three point line and inside the paint.
Falcons shot 34.5% ( 20 – 58 ) from the field and 29.4% ( 5 – 17 ) from beyond the 3 point line.
Clark reflects on the win and playing their rival.
“We’ve been waiting to play Long Beach all season, this win felt really good for us and I think that it will encourage us to go ahead and beat El Camino on Friday.”
