Walnut, Calif. – In a thrilling back-and-forth battle with a trip to the state championship on the line, the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball Team came out on top over the previously undefeated College of the Sequoias, securing a 57-50 win in the 3C2A State Championship Semifinals on Saturday, March 16. With the win, the Mounties improve to 28-4 and move on to the final game of the season, while the Giants' incredible run ends at 31-1.

The College of the Sequoias came into the game seeking to become the first team in 12 years to claim an undefeated state championship. But the Mounties, determined to prevent that from happening on their home floor, refused to back down. After losing two close games to COS earlier in the season by just one point each, Mt. SAC delivered when it mattered most.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

It didn't take long for the game's leading scorer, Taliyah McFerson, to make her mark, opening the scoring with a layup and a free throw. The College of the Sequoias quickly answered with free throws from Kaitlin Giacone, followed by back-to-back three-pointers from Anisa Torres and Jocelyn Medina, giving them an early lead. McFerson led the way for the Mounties in the first quarter, scoring 11 points and grabbing three rebounds, while Medina kept the Giants close with 7 points and 4 rebounds. At the end of the first, Mt. SAC held a narrow 17-15 lead.

In the second, Destiny King added four points for the Mounties, starting the quarter with a jump shot followed by a three-pointer from Naomi Acuna, giving Mt. SAC a seven-point cushion. But not for long as COS's Torres and Morgan Trigueiro hit key threes to keep the Giants in the game. A buzzer-beater layup from Medina gave COS a 29-28 lead at the break.

The Mounties came out of the halftime break ready to play and ready to win. Daisia Mitchell and Medina exchanged layups to start the third quarter, but a jump shot from Mitchell put the Mounties ahead 36-35—marking the last lead change of the game. Mt. SAC held onto their advantage, ending the third quarter with a 46-39 lead.

Frances Potts extended the Mounties' lead with a three-pointer to open the final period, giving them their largest lead of the game at 10 points. The Giants fought back with a seven-point run, sparked by a three-pointer and free throws from Trigueiro and Medina, pulling the score to 53-50 with just two minutes left. But the Mounties closed the game strong, with a jump shot from Mitchell and a layup from Riddle putting the game out of reach and sealing the win.

As the Mounties celebrated the win, they jumped up and down chanting, "One more! One more! One more!"

FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN CRICHLOW:

"We hang our hat on our defense, which is what got us through tonight's game."

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Taliyah McFerson (Mt. SAC): Game-high 19 points, 8 rebounds
• Daisia Mitchell (Mt. SAC): 14 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
• Jocelyn Medina (Sequoias): Team-high 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 6 steals, 1 block
• Morgan Trigueiro (Sequoias): 14 points, 3 rebounds

NEXT UP:

Mt. SAC will face Orange Coast College (27-5) in the 3C2A State Championship Final on Sunday, March 16, at 3:30 PM. Come out and support the Mounties as they go for the program's ninth State Championship Title.

NOTE:

This will be the second matchup between Mt. SAC and Orange Coast College this season, with the Mounties previously defeating the Pirates 61-53 on November 13. The Pirates are the two-time defending state champions and are aiming for a three-peat.

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.