3C2A State Women's Basketball Semifinals #1: Orange Coast advances to its third final in a row

WALNUT -- Orange Coast College used a strangling defense that forced Glendale into turnovers and missed shots and now is one step away from a three-peat behind a 63-45 victory in the 3C2A State Women's Basketball Semifinals on Saturday night.

The Pirates (27-5) received big performances from Alyssa Dreessen, who scored 17 points with eight rebounds and four blocks, and Hailey Estrada, who scored 16 points plus seven rebounds and four assists. Melaiah Joseph contributed nine points (a trio of 3-pointers) while Myia Collins posted four points, eight rebounds and six assists. 

Glendale had a rough shooting night, making just 17 of 64 attempts (26.6 percent) while making 18 turnovers, four which nullified baskets due to traveling violations. The Vaqueros (26-5) once again were eliminated by OCC after losing the title game last season. 

Sammy Velasquez scored 13 points to pace Glendale while Shadel Ffrench fought through early foul trouble to score eight points and grab 16 rebounds. Malia Ulery was limited to seven points, but added nine boards and six assists. Shushan Krikorian chipped in nine points.

Estrada talked about the OCC strategy changing from the 3-point bombfest it performed in its quarterfinals win over Folsom Lake. 

"We knew we couldn't reach that type of efficiency shooting, so we concentrated on our type of game," she said. "We like to dribble drive and then either get it to Dreessen inside or kick it out to a open shooter. Alyssa made some big shots early and then when it was my time, I just tried to stay poised and I was successful. We know that we are this close to winning a third title, but we won't celebrate until we get it done."

In the first quarter, tenacious defense by Orange Coast helped it get out in front, 12-3, through the first seven minutes. Early on, Ffrench was whistled for two personals and didn't play for nearly a continuous 10 minutes into the second period.

Glendale still was able to cut into the lead, ultimately cutting it to 14-11 at the end of the period on two free throws by Ulery. 

In the second quarter, Ulery did a quick step move to get open and netted a 17-foot jumper that made it 21-17 OCC. The Pirates, who struggled making just 2-of-8 free throws in the first half, got a spark off the bench from Kiley Esajian, who hit a jumper, then sank a three to up the OCC lead to 28-19. 

A key play hurt Glendale when Ulery drilled a 3-pointer, only to be called for traveling. Orange Coast took advantage and then Zoie Lampkin hit a corner trey for a 6-point switch of fortunes that gave the Pirates a 33-22 halftime lead. 

Orange Coast kept control in the second half, leading by as much as 14 (43-29) on Joseph trey and led 48-37 after three periods.

In the fourth, both teams were scoreless for four minutes before Estrada came through with a corner bomb. Glendale finally scored at the midway point of the quarter on Ulery's 3-pointer, but Estrada drove the lane for a layup, Dreessen pumped in a jumper, and and Kayla Borjelt buried another three for a 20-point cushion with two minutes left.

Release by Robert Lewis, CCCWBCA Publicist