Charger Comeback Cut Short in One Point Loss
Bryan scored 10 points Friday afternoon. |
November 10th, 2006
box score
Merced, Calif. – It looked dismal again for the Chargers late in the first half down by 23 to the host team Merced. Cypress started their comeback from there chipping away at the Merced lead until taking brief lead before time ran out and the Chargers were left one point short losing to Merced 66-65. Freshman forward Saw-Ann Bryan paced Cypress with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
The Chargers started slowly letting Merced get up on Cypress 41-18 with just three minutes left in the first half. Cypress started to pick up the pace from there going on a seven point run to end the first half 41-25. The Chargers took the momentum from the first half into the second scoring the first four points of the half. Cypress started to chip away from there taking advantage of offensive rebounding for 28 second chance points. Their efforts closed the gap slowly until Cypress was able to take their first lead at the eight minute mark 55-54 after a three-pointer from the corner from sophomore guard Marinna Figueroa. Merced continued to fight back taking the one point lead with a layup. Bryan tied it up at 56 but Merced bounced back with a three-pointer. The Chargers kept trying to close in and were down by just one with possession and 7 seconds left. Cypress was able to get a good shot off but could not convert as time ran out.
Sophomore forward Brandi Thomas led Cypress scorers with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Sophomore forward Kishawn Hill added 9 points with 2 assists. Sophomore point guard Corianne Felix dished out 6 assists with 7 points and 2 steals despite wearing a mask for her injured nose.
Their second loss of the tournament eliminates Cypress and sends them home to prepare for Friday against Mt. Sac. Mt. Sac is undefeated thus far and ranked number two in the South. The Chargers’ 0-3 marks the third straight loss for Cypress, the first time that has happened since the 2003-04 season and the worst Charger start since 1999, Mohr's second year as head coach. Cypress faces off with Mt. Sac Friday at the Chaffey Crossover Friday night at 5:00 pm.