(Los Angeles, CA) With their second tournament championship-game appearance of the season, the Mounties came away with their first title with a narrow, 45-41, victory over Irvine Valley College, Saturday (Dec. 11).

After defeating LBCC (89-71) and Ventura (77-53) in the opening game and semifinals, respectively, Mt. SAC won the championship in the L.A. Valley College Buddy's Classic.

With the win, Mt. SAC improved to 11-3 overall. IVC had won seven games in a row before the loss to the Mounties.

After a close first quarter, with the Mounties trailing 19-15, they outscored IVC, 12-3 to lead at the half, 27-22. Savanna Norfleet (15 pts., 6-6 FTM-A) led the Mounties in the first half with seven points.

The roles were reversed in the third quarter as the Lasers outscored Mt. SAC, 14-5, to lead, 36-32.

The score was nearly the same in the fourth quarter, but again the roles were reversed as Mt. SAC outscored IVC, 13-5.

It was almost halfway through the period before either team scored, when Norfleet sank two free throws, to trail, 36-34.

With just under three minutes remaining, Norfleet again sank a pair of free throws to give Mt. SAC its first lead, 40-39, since the six-minute mark in the third.

With 18 seconds left in the game and the Mounties holding a two-point, 42-40 lead, Briana Lizardi (10 pts, 8 RB) also connected with two free throws from the charity line, to give Mt. SAC a 44-40 lead.

Each team added one more free throw from the final score, 45-41.

Mt. SAC will travel to Palomar College Wednesday (Dec. 15) for a non-conference game.

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