Ladies Basketball Team Loses To Riverside

The Cypress College Lady Chargers Basketball Team came up short when they met the Riverside Tigers Friday Jan. 22.

Those that didn't let the stormy weather keep them in, were treated to a fan thrilling effort by the Chargers on their home court, against a formidable Orange Empire Conference adversary. The ladies overcame an early point deficit to take the lead in a back and forth contest that saw plenty of turnovers, before falling to the Tigers 85-73 in overtime.

Sophomore Alyssa Starkey saw double digits, scoring 12 points for the Lady Chargers in the 5th game of league play. It was a physical battle to say the least, with players on both sides taking bumps and fighting hard for possession. A lead could not be taken for granted in this game where control was continuously proven to be temporary, on both sides of the court.

"They played hard. They are really athletic, they are aggressive," said Starkey in reference to the physicality of the Lady Tigers.

Leading the Chargers in scoring with 22 points, was point guard Debbie Chavez. Although the Chargers didn't do enough to secure the victory, The Santa Fe High School graduate, and Cypress College sociology major thinks the ladies may have come out of the contest a little wiser than they went in.

"It was a tough loss; but I think we played hard, and I think we know what we have to do to beat them next time," commented Chavez post-game.

Micaela Pickens was second in Charger scoring with 14 points, and showed just how strong the Cypress bench can be.

Pickens, a Cabrillo High School graduate had this to say in regards to the Chargers coming up short, "We played 40 minutes intense, but we needed 45 minutes altogether." The freshman guard plans to be a bank accountant when she graduates, but for now Head Coach Margaret Mohr can continue to bank on her scoring points on the court.

The Lady Chargers Basketball Team falls to 2-3 in league play, they face visiting Santa Ana on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 7:30pm.