Five-Game Win Streak For State #23 Women's Basketball

With two victories at the PCC-Grand Canyon Crossover played Dec. 9-10, the Pasadena City College women's basketball team extended its win streak to five games as the state #23-ranked Lancers are 9-2 overall.

Point guard Antuanae Garrett was named MVP of the team's second hosted tourney as she has developed into one of the state's best all-around players. The sophomore transfer is averaging 14.5 points, 5.2 assists (ninth in the state), 4.1 steals (seventh in the state) while tied for the team lead in rebounding at 9.2 boards per contest.

"Twin" Garrett performed a rare double-double while nearly reached double digits in four different stat categories in a 68-38 win over Shasta on Saturday. Garrett tallied 15 points (including three 3-pointers), 10 assists, eight steals and eight rebounds. It's the first points-assists double-double by a PCC player since Cosette Balmy in 2019. 

Against Shasta, the Lancers actually trailed at halftime, 28-27, but PCC outscored the Knights, 41-10, in the second half, and limited them to just two points. Creedence Shaver gave Shasta a 30-27 advantage on an offensive rebound and layup 14 seconds into the third quarter. 

PCC scored the next 20 points, capped by a layup by Vanessa Epperson off a steal and helper by Garrett, to lead 47-30 by the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Garrett started the scoring run with a trey and dished out five assists and made two steals during the game-changing spurt.

All-Tournament selection and center Crystal Smith added 13 points (6-for-7 from the field) and 12 rebounds with five of the team's 21 steals. Abigail Saville led the Lancers on the scoresheet with 19 points plus 11 rebounds and three steals. Epperson had 11 points, four assists and three steals while Lamia Daley collected 10 points and five boards. All five PCC starters scored in double figures.

In Friday's 64-52 victory over winless Merritt, the Lancers led 27-13, and 27-20 by halftime. But with the sharp shooting of Lyndsey Marrujo, the Panthers battled back to take a 52-51 on her layup with four minutes left. Garrett hit a jumped to regain the Lancers lead, then Saville and Smith hit back-to-back layups. Epperson made two free throws in the final minute that was the cherry on top to a 13-0 run that finished the victory.

"MJ" Daley scored 20 points plus eight rebounds and four steals while Garrett contributed 11 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals. Smith had another double-double on 13 points, 11 boards plus three blocks. Saville had seven points and 12 rebounds while Epperson chipped in seven points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals. Jessica Lopez and Jordyn Finley each hit a 3-pointer off the bench. 

Marrujo scored a game-high 26 points, making 10 of 14 shots from the field, to pace Merritt.

"Our great start this season is a group effort," said PCC head coach Joe Peron. "Our starting unit is experienced, athletic and allows us a variety of opitons on offense while all five are solid defensively. Garrett and Crystal really stepped up in both victories. We had some lulls that we worked through in both games. But what was encouraging is how well we closed out the two victories, playing our best basketball over the final minutes in each game."

ALL-PCC-GRAND CANYON CROSSOVER TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP-TWIN GARRETT, PCC
CRYSTAL SMITH, PCC
Jolleen Olia, Citrus
Graceyn Harlan, Shasta
Lyndsey Marrujo, Merritt

The Lancers next play at the Moorpark Tommy Arellano North/South Challenge tourney on Dec. 14 and Dec. 16. PCC play #12-ranked Chabot on Thursday at 3 p.m. and then face #12 Fresno City College on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Crystal Smith with her All-Tourney trophy with HC Joe Peron

 MVP Antuanae Garrett with Peron and assistant coach Rocky Moore