The West Los Angeles College Women's Basketball team came up just short in a tough battle against LA Valley, falling 78-70 on Wednesday evening. Despite standout efforts from several key players, including Alana Young, who led all scorers with 23 points, the Wildcats couldn't overcome a strong second-half push from their opponents. The loss drops West LA to 9-7 on the season as they prepare for their next conference matchup on the road.
The game began with promise for the Wildcats, as Aliyah Young hit a jump shot just 16 seconds into the game to give West LA the early 2-0 advantage. The first quarter saw Kennedee Rankin dominate the boards, securing five early rebounds, including a crucial putback at the 8:16 mark to bring the Wildcats within one, 5-4. Rankin finished the night with an impressive 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals, setting the tone for West LA's physical presence in the game.
Alana Young showcased her leadership and scoring ability throughout the contest. She connected on a three-pointer at the 8:28 mark of the second quarter to cut the deficit to five, 28-23, and later added another key triple late in the third quarter, pulling the Wildcats back within striking distance at 54-50. Young's efficiency from beyond the arc (4-of-7) and her ability to attack the basket provided a steady scoring output for the Wildcats.
Off the bench, Fama Diagne added 12 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting, while pulling down 4 rebounds. Her second-quarter jumper at 6:52 brought the Wildcats within eight, 33-25, and her consistent effort on both ends of the court helped West LA remain competitive.
While the Wildcats showed moments of brilliance, their shooting struggles from three-point range (5-of-22) and a rebounding disadvantage (35 total rebounds compared to LA Valley's 46) proved challenging. West LA's bench contributions, including a combined 5 points and 8 rebounds from Kyana Davis and Taiana Muagututia, provided valuable support, but ultimately, the team fell short in their comeback bid.
Final Stats:
West LA:
- Alana Young: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Kennedee Rankin: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
- Aliyah Young: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
- Fama Diagne: 12 points, 4 rebounds
- Kyana Davis: 5 points, 2 rebounds
The Wildcats look to regroup and in their next game on Saturday, 1/18 on the road at Antelope Valley College.
Game time is 3PM. Follow the team for updates.
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