Chargers Come Apart in Waning Minutes to Lose to Saddleback
Thomas scored 11 points Wednesday night. |
January 24th, 2007
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Cypress, Calif. – Cypress and Saddleback were locked in a fourth place tie coming into Wednesday night’s game. The two were evenly matched throughout but Cypress slipped in the end losing to the Gauchos 66-69. Sophomore forward Brandi Thomas paced Cypress with a near double-double at 11 points and 9 rebounds.
The Chargers and Gauchos were locked in a back and forth battle throughout the first half with eight lead changes and six ties. The first half ended locked up at 33. The Gauchos took charge to start the second half taking several leads while Cypress came back to tie but not lead. After the twelfth tie of the game, the Gauchos took charge with a six point lead. Cypress went on a 7-0 lead capped off by a three-point bucket by sophomore guard Corianne Felix to take their first lead of the half with three minutes left in the game. From there, the Chargers seemed to self destruct allowing the Gauchos to go on a six point run. Cypress was able to chip away and get within three with four seconds remaining. Cypress brought the ball down the floor but was unable to get a shot off to lose by three.
Sophomore guard Brae Butler led Cypress in scoring with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals on the night. Freshman guard Yanet Enriquez was Cypress’s third player in double digits with 10 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Sophomores Michelle Babin and Felix combined for 17 points, 5 assists, and 11 rebounds.
The Chargers head to the second round of Orange Empire play with a record of 3-4 in fifth place. Cypress heads to Riverside next to play the Tigers for the second time this year. The first time, Cypress was able to hold on to their lead for an 81-72 win. Riverside is 2-5 in conference in seventh place. The two face off again Friday at 5:30 pm at Riverside.