Walnut, Calif. – As expected, the No. 1 seeded Mt. SAC Women's Basketball Team delivered a win in their first playoff game of the season with a 77-60 victory over No. 16 Santa Ana College on Saturday, February 28. The Mounties improve to 28-1 overall, and the Dons wrap up their season at 16-14.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

While the game ended with a double-digit win, Santa Ana made the Mounties work from the opening tip.

Faith Ledesma got the Dons on the board with a three-pointer, but Elizabeth Udeze answered with a jumper and Dylan Tse knocked down a three to give Mt. SAC an early edge. The first quarter featured multiple ties, including a 10-10 knot after Kiki Graham nailed a three with five minutes left in the frame.

From there, the Mounties began to take control. A layup from Tse and free throws by Naomi Acuna sparked a run that helped Mt. SAC close the first quarter ahead 22-12 — a lead they would not relinquish.

Santa Ana's Anaya Beard delivered an insane performance in the second quarter, scoring all 17 of the Dons' points in the period while adding four rebounds. Despite her surge, the Mounties countered with balanced scoring across the lineup to remain ahead 38-29 heading into the half.

The Mounties came out of the break rejuvenated as Taliyah McFerson poured in 10 third-quarter points, while Udeze added eight, stretching the lead to 62-43 entering the final quarter.

Santa Ana continued to battle with Beard powering the team's offense, adding 10 more points in the fourth. But McFerson (seven fourth-quarter points) and Makayla Haddock (five points) helped the Mounties keep momentum firmly on their side and close out the 77-60 victory.

Mt. SAC shot 42.4% from the field, 29.4% from three-point range and 75.9% from the free-throw line, while Santa Ana finished at 40% from the floor, 22.2% from beyond the arc and 80% from the stripe. The biggest difference came on the glass and in second-chance opportunities. The Mounties outrebounded the Dons 46-25, scored 19 second-chance points compared to Santa Ana's five, and held a 24-16 advantage in points in the paint. By controlling the boards and capitalizing on extra possessions, Mt. SAC secured the playoff victory.

KEY PLAYERS:

• Elizabeth Udeze: Team-high 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
• Taliyah McFerson: 18 points, 10 rebounds (double-double)
• Dylan Tse: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Anaya Beard: Game-high 38 points, 7 rebounds

NEXT UP:

The Mounties will host No. 9 Saddleback College (22-8) in the 3C2A SoCal Regional Finals on Saturday, March 7 at 7:00 PM.

Tickets: $12 adults | $8 children, students and seniors

Come pack the gym and support the Mounties as they as they look to punch their ticket to the State Championship. Go 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.