Golden West Secures 10th Victory Before OEC Play

Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West women's basketball (10-4, 0-0 OEC) win third consecutive game at LA Harbor (4-13, 0-0 SCC), 73-58. 

In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, the Golden West College Rustlers clinched their third consecutive victory, overpowering LA Harbor with a decisive 73-58 win. This triumph marks an impressive run for the Rustlers as they gear up for conference play, holding a strong 10-4 record. They now look forward to their next challenge against Saddleback on Wednesday.

The game commenced with LA Harbor scoring the first basket, but the Rustlers quickly turned the tide, dominating the quarter 23-10. Kayla Terry was a standout performer, coming off the bench to contribute a remarkable ten points, while Princess McCauley added six. Defensively, Catherine Jordan and Kim Rivera played pivotal roles, limiting Harbor's top scorers, Akelia Watson and Samantha Ballantyne, to a mere three and five points respectively. The Rustlers ended the quarter strong, shooting 47% from the field and 33% from three-point range.

In the second quarter, Golden West continued to expand their lead. Terry's rebounding prowess and Ty Adams' crucial three-pointer, coupled with a 9-2 advantage in second-chance opportunities, helped the Rustlers extend their lead to 42-35 at halftime. Although GWC initially pushed their lead to 21 points, LA Harbor showed resilience, winning the third quarter 15-12 and cutting the Rustlers' lead to 14. Laoren Jordan made significant contributions for Golden West, scoring efficiently and securing key rebounds.

The final quarter saw Harbor narrowing the gap to nine points, but the Rustlers responded emphatically. Terry and Adams led the charge, with Terry scoring 12 early points and Adams hitting her third three-pointer. Despite McCauley and Terry facing challenges with fouls, Rivera's defensive efforts and assists played a crucial role in sealing the victory for Golden West.

With this win, Golden West builds momentum as they head into their next game against Saddleback. Their 10-4 record is a testament to their hard work and team cohesion as they step into the more challenging phase of the season of conference play. The Rustlers have demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and maintain focus, qualities that will be essential in their upcoming encounters, starting with the critical match at Saddleback. This winning streak gives them momentum heading into conference play, and the upcoming games will undoubtedly be a true test of their championship mettle.

UP NEXT: The Rustlers will begin conference play at Saddleback College on Wednesday, January 10th. Tip off will be at 7pm.