Mountie Women's Basketball Advances to Sequoias Tourney Semifinals

Mountie Women's Basketball Advances to Sequoias Tourney Semifinals
By John M. Sherrard

(VISALIA) The Mt. SAC Women's Basketball Team rebounded, after a close overtime victory in the opening game of the 40th Annual Gilcrest Invitational, with a resounding, 63-44, win over Santa Rosa College on Friday afternoon.

With the win, the Mounties (8-1) advanced to the tournament semifinals against rival Pasadena City College, who is off to a 9-1 start this season.

Freshman forward Jade Hughes (2 steals, 1 blk) led the Mounties with a game-high 12 points, followed by 11 points each from sophomore guard Maddeline Dopplick (2 steals) and sophomore guard Aliyah George (4 for 8 FG, 3-3 FT). Dopplick also connected for three, 3-pointers.
With a tight first quarter, trailing, 14-12, the Mounties outscored Santa Rosa, 19-7, in the second quarter behind ten points from the hot shooting of Hughes, who was 4 of 6 from the field and had 2 steals. Mt. SAC led, 31-21, at the half.
The Mounties more than doubled their scoring output in the third quarter, 23-11, as Dopplick scored all of her 11 points, highlighted by her three baskets from beyond the arc.

In the Thursday night 72-67 overtime win over Foothill, leading the way with 14 points each, was sophomore Aliyah Dickson and sophomore Kali Jones (4 of 7 FT, 5 RB, 3 blks). Dickson was a perfect 10 for 10 at the charity stripe.
Mt. SAC sophomore forward Tshlene Bentley (4 of 5 FG, 2-2 FT) added 10 points and Dopplick had nine points (2-2 FT, 4 RB).

With the game tied, 57-57, and 42 seconds remaining in regulation, Dickson sank two free throws for the two-point, 59-57 lead.

However, with 23 seconds remaining Foothill tied the game, 59-59, sending the game into overtime.

OT was a different story as the Mounties outscored the Owls, 13-9. With the score tied, 67-67, freshman guard Dominique McLaughlin made a jump shot for the 69-67 lead with 41 seconds left.
She followed that with a free throw with 21 seconds remaining and the, 70-67 advantage.
With 17 seconds left Dopplick sank two free throws for the final 72-67 win.
 
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630