W. Basketball; Eagles Earn 25th Win of the Year at Copper Mountain

MSJC's Mariah Sanchez had 20 points on Wednesday night to help the women's basketball team to a 99-43 win over Copper Mountain in Joshua Tree.  (DeeAnn Bradley/MSJC)
MSJC's Mariah Sanchez had 20 points on Wednesday night to help the women's basketball team to a 99-43 win over Copper Mountain in Joshua Tree. (DeeAnn Bradley/MSJC)

The MSJC women's basketball team got off to a fast start on Wednesday night and rode that momentum to a 99-43 win at Copper Mountain.

The Eagles offense was impressive in the first half as they built leads of 36-10 after the first quarter and 63-17 by halftime.  MSJC's offense slowed some in the second half, but the Eagles still out scored the Fighting Cacti 36-26 over the second half.

Deja Blue led the way for MSJC as she had a very efficient game scoring 20 points, pulling in 9 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists in just 19 minutes of action.  Haylei Janssens continued her sensational sophomore season with her 21st double double of the year with 18 points and 10 rebounds, she got the Eagles off to the big start with 16 of her points coming in the first half.  Mariah Sanchez came off the bench to score 20 points of her own on Wednesday as she connected on six three point shots.  Haley Suarez also reached double figures in scoring with 12 points as she went 4 of 8 from three point territory.  The Eagles dominated the glass on the night out rebounding Copper Mountain 63-27 with De'Adra Ross pulling in a game high 13 boards.  MSJC also was very good sharing the ball with 28 assists on the night led by 7 from Alyza Lopez.

The win improves the Eagles overall record to 25-2, they are 11-0 in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference and have already clinched the league title.  MSJC has one regular season game remaing on Friday night when they host San Bernardino Valley.  Friday's game is part of a doubleheader with the men's team as both teams will be celebrating Sophomore Night.  The women's game on Friday is set to tip-off at 5 pm with the men's game to follow at 7.