By John M. Sherrard
(Lancaster, CA) A late second-half surge by the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball Team, led by Deja Siaki and Tianna Burrell, helped propel the Mounties into their fourth consecutive tournament championship game with a 58-49 semifinal win over Moorpark College.
A Siaki 10 point fourth quarter was the spark the Mounties needed to propel them into the title game of the Annual Antelope Valley College Holiday Tournament Saturday afternoon at Marauder Gym.
Mt. SAC (10-3), which won the Ventura Tournament earlier this season, will play Cypress College (5-5), a 81-77 semifinal winner over host Antelope Valley College, in the championship Sunday at 3:00 pm.
Siaki, who was 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, led the team with 16 points, while forward Jonnae Vermillion added 14 points and had a game-high 15 rebounds (9.2 per game). Siaki is shooting 46.7% (10th in state) on the season from 3-point range.
Burrell (4 rebounds) also was in double figures with 11 points, which included three long-range baskets.
Guard Tianna Douglas (5 rebounds, steal, blk) added nine points for the Mounties.
Moorpark led at the half, 31-23 but the Mountie comeback began late in third quarter with 2:51 left and trailing by 10 points, 40-30.
Burrell led the charge with two 3-pointers in the last minute of the third quarter, for an 8-2 run to trail by only four points, 42-38 entering the final quarter.
With 6:49 left in the game Vermillion tied the game at 44-44 with a free throw and Siaki gave Mt. SAC its first lead of the game, 47-45, a minute later with a 3-pointer.
Siaki then scored the next seven points (2 three-pointers, FT) for the Mounties building up a 54-49 lead and they never looked back for the win.
A big bonus for the Mounties was the 27 bench points in the game.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.