Walnut, Calif. – In what should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, the ever-dominant Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team is heading back to the 3C2A State Championship Tournament after a 67-51 victory over Saddleback College in the SoCal Regional Finals on Saturday, March 7.

The defending state champions are officially back in the Elite Eight, where the quest for back-to-back titles continues. Next stop: Visalia. The Mounties will face Fresno City College (23-7) in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, March 12. Mt. SAC enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the South, while the Rams come in as the No. 4 seed from the North.

These two teams have already met once this season, with the Mounties claiming an 82-71 victory earlier in the year. But as postseason basketball has proven time and time again—anything can happen.

With the win, Mt. SAC improves to 29-1 on the season, while Saddleback closes its campaign at 22-9.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

It may not have been the Mounties' sharpest performance of the season, but even on an off night, Mt. SAC was firmly in control from start to finish.

SoCal Player of the Year Taliyah McFerson got things rolling early with a jump shot, followed by a three-pointer from Naomi Acuna to set the tone. Saddleback's Kalynne Mendez accounted for the Bobcats' only four points of the opening period with a pair of layups. McFerson tallied seven first-quarter points, while Elizabeth Udeze added six rebounds and three assists as the Mounties jumped out to an18-4 lead after one.

The second quarter was much more even, with both teams scoring 17 points. After a scoreless first quarter, Udeze came alive with eight points while Dylan Tse chipped in five, including a three-pointer. Makayla Rutledge led the Bobcats with seven points in the period and Saddleback controlled the boards, outrebounding Mt. SAC 10-4.

As a big hit to the Mounties, McFerson went down with a knee injury minutes before halftime and did not return to the game. Despite the setback, Mt. SAC headed into the break with a 35-21 advantage.

With a key starter sidelined, Coach Crichlow turned to the depth of his bench in the second half—and it delivered as Makayla Haddock sparked the Mounties with a clutch three-pointer. Tse added another triple and knocked down a pair of free throws while Janessa Rodriguez anchored the defense with five rebounds in the quarter.

Saddleback battled back to outscore Mt. SAC 16-14 in the third behind Rutledge's five points, but the Mounties still held a 49-37 lead heading into the final period.

Mt. SAC wasted little time sealing the deal in the fourth. Haddock knocked down another three, Armani Owens added a jumper, and Tse took control at the free throw line—going 6-for-8 in the final frame as she attacked the basket and drew fouls.

Acuna continued to battle on the boards with four key rebounds, while Saddleback's Mendez and Kassidy Beach combined for 12 points down the stretch. Still, the Mounties maintained their composure and closed out the 16-point victory to punch their ticket back to the state tournament.

KEY PLAYERS:

• Dylan Tse: Game-high 20 points, 8-10 free throws, 2 assists
• Elizabeth Udeze: 16 points, 10 rebounds, (Double-Double) 5 assists, 3 steals
• Janessa Rodriguez: 6 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal
• Kassidy Beach (Saddleback): 12 points, 11 rebounds,(Double-Double) 2 blocks

NEXT UP:

The Mounties will take on Fresno City College in the quarterfinal round of the 3C2A State Championship Tournament on Thursday, March 12 in Visalia. Game time will be announced soon. The road to another state title continues.

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.