Women's Hoops Starts New Year With Romp Over Cerritos

The state No. 11-ranked Pasadena City College women's basketball team didn't waste any time establishing itself in 2017. The Lancers rolled over host Cerritos, 85-50, Friday night and improved to 14-3 on the season. PCC won v. the Falcons for the first time since Jan. 29, 2014, snapping a 3-game losing streak in the series. The 35-point margin is the program's biggest win ever over Cerritos.

Cerritos (5-11) played well in the first half and was tied with the Lancers, 33-33, with less than four minutes left in the second quarter. Just when it appeared that the game would develop into another tough contest in the long rivalry, PCC turned up its energy. Pasadena scored eight straight points to end the half and extended the run to 14-0 before Cerritos snapped nearly an 8-minute scoreless slump on a Kaylyn James jumper.  

PCC outscored Cerritos, 44-17, in the second half. The Lancers controlled the post, outrebounding the Falcons, 64-36, and scored 32 second-chance points (thanks to 33 offensive boards) compared to only two by the hosts. 

Sophomore guard Jolene Robinson led five Pasadena players in double figures with 18 points (plus eight rebounds) and frosh reserve center Alisa Shinn added 17 points, seven rebounds and a team-high three steals. Transfer point guard Jelissa Puckett contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Veteran forward Ilianna Blanc chipped in a double-double on 13 points and 11 rebounds while second-year backup guard Bridget Phu drained three 3-pointers as part of her 13 points.

Sophomore starting center Kailyn Gideon blocked six shots to go with eight points and 12 rebounds.

PCC hosts Long Beach City College on Wednesday, Jan. 11 in a 6 p.m. in a South Coast Conference crossover game (does not count toward league standings) at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.