(Ventura, CA) With ten seconds remaining in the game, Mt. SAC freshman guard Natalia Shpegel made a layup and a free throw, to help pull out a 62-60 victory over College of the Canyons in the semifinals of the Ventura Kiwanis Tournament of Champions Saturday night.
The championship will feature the two top programs in CCCAA Women's basketball history in Mt. SAC and host Ventura College on Sunday (11/25) at 4:00 pm.
The Mounties (8) and Pirates (7) have combined for 15 state titles through the years.
It will also be the fourth time in the last five years that Ventura and Mt. SAC have met in the tournament championship, with the Mounties winning the previous three matchups.
Leading the way for the Mounties was forward Tianna Burrell (3 3-pointers, 9 RB, 3 Blks.) with a team-high 14 points, while forward Lauryn Manns (5-11 FGM, 2 RB, Stl.) added 11 points.
Mounties guard Aujanae Mayes (4-4 FGM, 1-2 FTM, 5 RB, 3 Assts.) had nine points along with three players – Jade Hughes (4-5 FTM, 10 RB, 2 Stl., Blk.), Alexis Sanchez (3-6 FGM, 3 RB, 5 A, 4 Stl.) and Shpegel (4-5 FTM, 3 A, 4 Stl.) added eight points each.
After a 14-14 tie in the first quarter, the Cougars outscored Mt. SAC, 15-5 in the second quarter to take a 10-point lead, 29-19 at the half.
The Mounties, who went on a 19-4 run, came right back with a huge third quarter, outscoring Canyons, 23-8 to take a 42-37 lead heading into the final quarter.
Burrell scored 11 of her 14 points in the third, including all three of her long-range 3s.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.