By John M. Sherrard

(Monterey Park, Ca) In the first of two showdowns between the top two women's basketball teams in Southern California, chalk up game number one to the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team with a convincing, 85-62, victory over rival East Los Angeles College in the opening game of the South Coast Conference North.

The Mounties started fast and never let up en route to the 23-point win. Mt. SAC improved to 19-1 overall and 1-0 in conference.

The two will meet again Friday February 3 for the rematch.

The much anticipated game was never in doubt as Mt. SAC opened with a 19-8 first-quarter lead and extended the lead to 16 points by halftime, 37-21.

ELAC came into the game ranked first in the state and the So Cal rankings, with the Mounties No. 2 in So Cal, but that could change when the next rankings come out this week.

"It's a gauntlet," said Mt. SAC coach Brian Crichlow of the SCC. "You have East L.A. and Pasadena in one week. That's a grueling week of basketball, then we turn around and have L.A. Trade Tech next Friday."

Mt. SAC, which defeated the Huskies in last seasons' state title game, is currently ranked third in the CCCAA state rankings

Five players led the way for Mt. SAC scoring in double figures, with sophomores Kali Jones (7-10 FG, 4 RB) and Allyah George (7-12 FG, 7 RB) scoring 16 points apiece.

Freshman forward Jade Hughes (5-7 FG, 2-3 FT) added 12 points, while freshman guard Dominique McLaughlin (4-4 FT, 3 assists, 2 steals) and sophomore guard Maddeline Dopplick (4 RB, 2 assists).

As a team the Mounties out rebounded the Huskies, 48-31, with McLaughlin and sophomore Aliyah Dickson grabbing eight each. George had seven boards.

The Mounties shot 81% from the charity stripe, connecting on 17 of 21.

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