By John M. Sherrard

(Fullerton, CA) For the sixth consecutive year the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 39th Annual Colleen Riley Holiday Invitational with a 74-49 victory over L.A. Pierce College Wednesday night in an opening round game.

The Mounties (12-3), ranked fifth in the state, will face Long Beach City College (10-4) Thursday, December 28 at 7:00 pm.

It will mark the 14th time in the last six years that the Mounties have faced Long Beach City College. Mt. SAC's only loss in that period to the Vikings came earlier this season in the Mountie Tip-Off Tournament championship in triple overtime.

Prior to this season, the last four victories in the Colleen Riley Tourney against LBCC have come in the championship game.

Leading the way for the Mounties was forward Jonnae Vermillion (10 of 14 FG, 11 RB, 8 Assists, Blk.) with a game-high 26 points and a perfect 6 of 6 at the free throw line.

Guard Dominique McLaughlin (8 of 14 FG, 3 of 5 3pt, 4 RB, 3 Steals, 2 BLK's.) added 19 points for the Mounties, while guard Tianna Burrell (5 of 9 FG, 9 RB, Steal) had 10 points.

Mt. SAC guard Tiana Douglas was also equally very active on the boards with 11 (6 Off., 5 Def.) and added two steals and a block.

The Mounties, behind seven points from McLaughlin led 19-9 after the first quarter but L.A. Pierce came back and outscored the Mounties by three points in the second quarter 20-17 and trailed 36-29 at the break.

McLaughlin led the Mounties in the second half with 12 points.

Follow Mt. SAC Women's Basketball on twitter @MtSAC_WBKB

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

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