Cats full of holiday cheer
The Saddleback women’s basketball team defeated Compton College, 89-24, on Wednesday afternoon inside the gymnasium. The Bobcats enter the holiday break at 6-8 overall.
The Saddleback women's basketball team defeated Compton College, 89-24, on Wednesday afternoon inside the gymnasium. The Bobcats enter the holiday break at 6-8 overall.
Saddleback had a big advantage to start as Compton had just six players entering the game. The Bobcats made the best of the big advantage, taking a big lead and never looking back.
Saddleback had a 44-12 at the break after a big half from both Moanike'ala Scott and Makayla Rutledge. The duo scored 10 points apiece, going a combined 8-of-18 from the field. The Bobcats also had a big advantage on the glass as Brianna Ruelas led the way with 10 rebounds over the first 20 minutes.
Saddleback had it on cruise control in the second half as the defense clamped down on a Compton squad playing on fumes. The Bobcats held Compton to just four points in the third quarter and 12 points for the half. Saddleback forced 13 turnovers over the final 20 minutes while holding Compton to 4-of-31 shooting from the field. Compton finished 1-of-13 from three-point range, making their first shot from beyond the arc in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Scott finished with a team-high 21 points as the Bobcats had five players in double-figures. Scott was 8-of-17 from the field for the day. Kalena Akinaka (12pt, 13reb), Brianna Ruelas (11 pt, 19 reb) and Makayla Rutledge (17 pt, 10 reb) all finished with double-doubles for the game.
The 65-point win on Wednesday was the third largest margin of victory in program history. Saddleback won back-to-back games by 94 and 84 points during the 1995-96 campaign on way to a 31-1 finish for the season. The 94-point win came against Compton on November 16, 1995, in the opening round of the Mt. San Jacinto College Tournament. The next day Saddleback defeated College of the Desert by 84 points (112-28) in the semifinals.
Saddleback is now 6-8 heading into the holiday break. The Bobcats will play again on January 3 when they travel to El Camino College. The Bobcats and Warriors are set to start at 5:00 PM in Torrance.