Chargers Hold on for Pivotal Win
Thomas turned in a double-double performance Wednesday night. |
February 14th, 2007
box score
Cypress, Calif. – The Chargers were poised to host their last home game of the season in a pivotal match-up to move themselves up to a tie for fourth and position themselves for a possible finish in third. The Chargers battled through forty minutes and fought off a Dons surge at the end to defeat Santa Ana 73-69. Sophomore forward Brandi Thomas finished the night with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds with 3 steals.
Cypress jumped out to the early lead with as much as an eleven point cushion over the Dons which was a far cry from their 0-20 start the last time the two teams met. Cypress was able to finish the half with their biggest lead 41-30. Santa Ana chipped away to start the second half, but Cypress was able to return to their eleven point lead nine times in the half. The Chargers had their last double-digit lead at the 4:37 mark when the Dons utilized free throws and offensive rebounds to go on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to five. The Dons chipped away further getting to within two with just 15 seconds remaining in the game to threaten Cypress. Sophomore guard Brae Butler made two free-throw shots to distance themselves to four points before the buzzer ended the game.
Butler finished the game with her second straight 30 plus point game scoring 31 points with 5 steals and 7 rebounds. Sophomore guard Corianne Felix finished with 9 points and 5 assists moving her up to sixth on the Cypress all-time career assist record book. Freshmen forwards Saw-Ann Bryan and Letisha Batiste combined for 15 points and 9 rebounds.
Cypress has a day off before going on the road to Saddleback for their last conference game. The Chargers are one game behind sixth ranked Saddleback who is 8-5 in conference, and coming off of an overtime loss to first place Orange Coast. A win for Cypress would guarantee them at least a two-way tie for third and a possible playoff berth. The last time these teams met, the Chargers lost to the Gauchos by three. The teams will face off again Friday at 5:30 pm at Saddleback.