Mt. San Antonio returns to CCCAA title game for sixth straight year

2017 California Community College Women's Basketball Championships Semifinal Mt. San Antonio 67, Ventura 52 (Photo by David Sanborn)
2017 California Community College Women's Basketball Championships Semifinal Mt. San Antonio 67, Ventura 52 (Photo by David Sanborn)
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Team Stats

March 11, 2017

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Mt. San Antonio College will seek a record eighth California Community College Athletic Association women's basketball title Sunday at 3:30 p.m. after beating another 7-time winner, Ventura College, 67- 52, in the semifinals Saturday evening at Las Positas College.

Defending champion Mt. SAC (32-2) will challenge the 29-game winning streak of state scoring leader (95.7 points per game) College of the Siskiyous (31-1) in the title game.  

Caira Benton led the Mounties in scoring with 16 points, had six rebounds and three steals. "She is our energy," said Mt. SAC coach Brian Crichlow.

Kai Jones, Mt. SAC's 6-3 center, had 14 points, ten rebounds, and blocked five shots. "She established herself in the paint and did a great job," said Crichlow. Allyah George had 11 points and seven rebounds. 

George led the Mounties on a 10-0 run to start the game and Ventura could never bridge the gap. It was 38-22 at halftime. Mt. SAC led by as many as 22 points with 3:55 left in the game.

Katie Campbell of Ventura (28-6) was the top scorer with 22 points, had three assists, a steal, and a block. Ventura's Davina Del Castillo was the top rebounder with 12 to go with three blocks and three assists.  

Crichlow was able to utilize all 12 of his players, giving the starters some breaks in anticipation of a high scoring battle with Siskiyous in the title game.

This is the sixth consecutive finals appearance for defending champion Mt. SAC, which also won in 2012 and 2013. Ventura won its seventh crown in 2014, 68-55, over Mt. SAC. Ventura was in the finals seven straight years, from 1996 to 2002, winning five of its titles during that span.  Mt. San Antonio has won all seven of its championships in this century, starting in 2004 and had a 3-game skein from 2006-2008. 

(Compiled by Fred Baer, College of San Mateo sports information director)