By John M. Sherrard
(Lancaster, CA) With her largest scoring output of the season(28 points), guard Dominique McLaughlin led the Mounties to an easy 76-52 AVC Holiday Tournament opening-game victory over the College of the Canyons Friday afternoon.
With the win, the Mounties, ranked fifth in the state by the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association, improved to 9-3 and advanced to their fourth consecutive AVC semifinal and will play Moorpark College (7-3) at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Mt. SAC has won the previous three Antelope Valley College Holiday Tournaments.
McLaughlin had her best all-around game of the season with her six 3-pointers (6 of 8), nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks. She scored 26 in the second game of the season against Citrus.
Mt. SAC guard Myjoi Adams (5 of 7 FG, 7 Rebounds, 2 Assists, Blk.) was the only other Mountie in double figures with 10 points.
Forward Jonnae Vermillion had a game-high 11 rebounds, with the sophomore bringing down nine of those boards on the defensive end.
As a team, the Mounties had a game-high 52 boards (44.8 avg./gm), their fourth-highest output of the season.
Guard Deja Siaki (3 of 6 FG) had seven points, while Vermillion, F/G Tianna Burrell (5 Rebounds, Blk) and guard Imani Cole had six points each.
The Mounties had a huge first-quarter, outscoring the Cougars 28-11, which was led by McLaughlins' 11 points and a perfect 3 for 3 from beyond the arc.
Canyons scored the first basket of the game for its only lead, but after a Mountie timeout McLaughlin connected for the first of her six 3s which led to a 17-0 run. She scored 11 of the 17 points in the run in the 3:34-minute scoreless span for College of the Canyons.
The Mounties finished the quarter on another run, outscoring Canyons 19-6.
At the half the Mounties had more than doubled the score for a 41-20 lead, with McLaughlin scoring seven points in the second quarter.
McLaughlin continued her hot streak with eight points in the third quarter on 3 of 5 shooting, which included two long-range 3s. Adams scored six of her 10 points in the quarter.
Cole (6) and Siaki (4) combined for 10 of the Mounties 17 fourth-quarter points.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.