Chargers Lose their Lead and their Hopes for an Upset
Bryan earned her first career double-double. |
January 31st, 2007
box score
Cypress, Calif. – The Chargers hosted the first place Orange Coast Pirates Wednesday hoping to reverse the result from their last meeting. Cypress came out strong with a 15 point first half lead but lost momentum in the second half losing to the Pirates 52-63. Freshman forward Saw-Ann Bryan earned her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds to pace Cypress.
Cypress came out on a mission jumping out to a 23-8 lead after just eight minutes of play to shock the fourth ranked and first place Pirates. OCC chipped away from there going on a seven point run to cut the lead to eight. They chipped away further cutting the lead to just five towards the end of the half. Cypress was able to extend the lead to eight to end the first half. Cypress lost ground in the second half slipping defensively and giving up turnovers letting the Pirates close in until they eventually overtook the Chargers at the 12:14 mark with a three point bucket to take the two point lead. Orange Coast would not give up the lead from there as Cypress missed free-throws and the Pirates got hot scoring forty second half points for the eleven point win. Cypress was just 10 for 21 from the free-throw line while OCC was 18 for 19. Cypress also coughed up a season high 35 turnovers allowing OCC to score 26 points off of turnovers.
Sophomore forward Brandi Thomas scored a game high 21 points and 8 rebounds to lead Cypress. Sophomore guard Brae Butler scored 7 points and sophomore guard Marissa Bravo dished out 6 assists.
Cypress has a day off before facing Golden West again. The last time they met, Cypress defeated the Rustlers by 25 points. Golden West is winless in conference and in last place coming off of a 35 point loss to Santa Ana. The two face off again Friday at Golden West at 7:00 pm.