Walnut, Calif. – The season may still be young, but the Mounties are wasting no time making a statement. The Mt. SAC Women's Basketball Team picked up its fourth straight win on Wednesday night, rolling past San Diego Mesa, 76–43. With the victory, the Mounties improve to 4-0, while the Olympians drop to 2-2.
The win marked a significant career milestone for Head Coach Brian Crichlow, who recorded his 400th victory leading the Mounties — a notable achievement in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was a relatively slow start, but Leiayjah Mills wasted no time putting Mt. SAC ahead, scoring just 22 seconds into play. Mesa answered a couple of minutes later with buckets from Stevie Lundquist and Rylie Willis, briefly taking the lead at 5-4 — their only advantage of the night.
From there, the Mounties found their rhythm. Mills reclaimed the lead with a layup, and Taliyah McFerson and Tierra Taylor came alive. Dylan Tse closed out the first quarter with four clutch free throws in the final 23 seconds, giving Mt. SAC a 16-10 edge after one.
Mesa's Clare Patrick opened the second with a three-pointer, but the Mounties responded in emphatic fashion. Tse sparked a scoring run, and Makayla Haddock caught fire from beyond the arc — sinking back-to-back threes and a layup to put Mt. SAC up 26-13.
Udeze had a kick of her own, adding two layups and a jump shot in the final two minutes sending the Mounties into the half with a 39-17 lead.
The third quarter saw more of the same — Udeze scored immediately out of the break, while Mills and Willis traded threes. Haddock knocked down another triple, and Alexis Brown joined the scoring column as Mt. SAC built a 58-34 lead heading into the final frame.
Mesa tried to claw back with another three from Willis, but the Mounties never wavered. Tse and Taylor added points at the line before Mt. SAC buried the Olympians under a barrage of long-range shots — four straight three-pointers, two each from Haddock and Taylor. The defense clamped down late, holding Mesa scoreless over the final two and a half minutes to seal the 76–43 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Makayla Haddock: Game-high 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 three-pointers
- Taliyah McFerson: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
- Tierra Taylor: 12 points (2-for-2 from three, 2-for-2 FT), 3 rebounds
- Elizabeth Udeze: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
NEXT UP:
The Mounties hit the road for a tough test on Thursday, November 13, taking on Orange Coast College (3-1) in a 3C2A State Championship rematch. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM. Let's keep the momentum rolling, Mounties!
STAY CONNECTED:
Follow Mt. SAC Women's Basketball on Twitter @MtSAC_WBKB or Instagram /mt.sacwbk/
Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on Twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
