COMPTON, CA — The MiraCosta women's basketball team kicked off the 2024-25 season with a commanding performance, defeating Compton College 71-37 on Tuesday afternoon. The win marked a special milestone for Head Coach Ashley Fleming, as she secured the first victory of her collegiate coaching career.

After a closely contested first quarter that ended with MiraCosta leading 13-10, the Spartans found their rhythm in the second, outscoring Compton 19-6 to take a 32-16 halftime lead. They maintained their momentum in the second half, fueled by aggressive defense and efficient scoring, eventually outpacing Compton by 34 points.

Leading the charge was Shayla Love, who tied for the game-high with 17 points, adding three steals to her stat line. LeAundra Walker-Brown also posted 17 points, showcasing her versatility with three assists and key plays in transition.

The Spartans dominated the boards, collecting 40 rebounds as a team. Samantha Mowrey was a force on the glass, grabbing nine rebounds and contributing nine points. Clare Patrick added six rebounds of her own while scoring four points.

Off the bench, Deyjanae Williams provided a spark with seven points and four rebounds, while Reina Alamillo chipped in six points and remained a defensive presence with two steals. Hailey Schmidt and Emily Parra added valuable depth, combining for four points and six rebounds.

Although the Spartans struggled from beyond the arc (0-for-10 on three-point attempts), their aggressive play inside made the difference. MiraCosta capitalized on Compton's turnovers, converting 21 giveaways into points.

Compton's JC Butler led her team with 14 points, but the Tartars were held to just 20.6% shooting from the field by MiraCosta's stifling defense.

MiraCosta will look to build on this strong start as they prepare for their home opener next week. With balanced scoring and relentless defense, the Spartans appear poised for an exciting season ahead.