Forgettable SCC Opener For Women's Hoops

Billed as a close contest between two highly-rated regional teams, the South Coast Conference North Division opener for the Pasadena City College women's basketball team proved to be all LA Trade Tech. The Beavers won at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium for the first time since 2010 and dealt the Lancers a 71-48 beating Wednesday night. 

Rated No. 5 in the South entering the game and playing without point guard Jelissa Puckett (injury), the Lancers (16-4) were swallowed up a tenacious No. 9 LA Trade Tech defense. The Beavers (17-3) converted six baskets directly off steals and rode the hot hand of guard Kendra Williams, who scored a game-high 27 points. Williams made six of her team's 13 steals as PCC was forced into 24 turnovers.

Trade Tech led 21-12 after one quarter and built it to 38-22 by halftime. A Williams jumper with 4:34 left in the game gave the Beavers a shocking 30-point lead, 67-37. The 23-point loss was not the worst against LA Trade Tech at the HP Gym as the Lancers lost, 73-43, in 2001. Head Coach Joe Peron, in his 21st season, still holds a 22-9 series record against LATT.

Sophomore guard Jolene Robinson led the Lancers with 15 points while center Alisa Shinn added 10 points and 11 rebounds. The team's other starting post player Kailyn Gideon pulled down 15 rebounds, blocked seven shots but netted just four points. Usually sharp-shooting forward Ilianna Blanc had a tough night from the floor (3-for-16) and finished with just eight points and two rebounds. 

It won't get any easier for the Lancers who now visit South No. 2-rated Mt. San Antonio on Friday, Jan. 20 (7 p.m. tip-off). The defending CCCAA champion Mounties won a rematch of the 2016 state championship game against No. 1 East Los Angeles, 83-62, Wednesday to improve to 20-1. PCC has lost 13 in a row v. Mt. SAC dating back to 2010.