By John M. Sherrard

(Ventura, CA) After a 19-day layoff following a triple overtime loss in the championship game of the Mt. SAC Linda G. Smith Memorial Tip Off Classic, the Mountie women were excited to get back on the court.

Mt. SAC opened the game up with a 20-7 lead after the first quarter and easily defeated Santa Monica 79-53 in the first round of the Ventura Kiwanis Tournament Friday afternoon.

With a 35-23 lead at the half, the Mounties opened up the game in the third outscoring the Corsairs 22-8 and never looked back for their fourth win of the season against one loss.

Mt. SAC will face San Joaquin Delta, a 75-56 first-round winner over Long Beach City College, on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The early-season matchup will feature the preseason No. 1 teams from the north (San Joaquin Delta) and south (Mt. SAC) regions.

The leading scorer for the Mounties, with a game-high 20 points (10 of 18 FG, 8 RB), was forward Jonnae Vermillion, while guard Dominique McLaughlin added 14 points (6 of 12 FG, 8 RB, 2 of 5 3 pt. FG).

Guard Sharmaine Hartfield came off the bench and scored 10 points (3 of 6 from 3 pt.) along with eight points from guard Imani Cole (3 of 4 FG, 2 of 3 from 3 pt.).

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630