GCC Women's Basketball splits a pair of games in Holiday Crossover Tourney Dec. 21-22; is now 9-3 this season

With its final non-conference games looming and the challenge of defending its Western State Championships starting next week, the GCC Women's Basketball Team rebounded from a tough 55-50 loss to visiting Allan Hancock College last Wednesday to rally to defeat Rio Hondo College 63-57 Thursday Dec. 22 in the final game of its own Holiday Crossover Tournament.

Now 9-3, the Lady Vaqueros trailed 27-26 at halftime Thursday against the visiting Roadrunners but Glendale outscored the visitors 21-14 in the fourth quarter to give them the six-point margin of victory. Maile Yamada and Kaitlynn Key led GCC with 13 points and Jesni Cooper had 12 to pace the team offensively. Yamada was clutch from the free throw line hitting 10 of 10 and eight in the critical fourth quarter and led the team with four assists. Faith Boulanger led the team with 10 rebounds to go with eight points and Key added seven boards, five offensive, and Cooper had six carroms off the glass.

Glendale concludes non-conference play Thursday and Friday Dec. 29-30 in the Ventura College Crossover Tournament and play Irvine Valley Thursday at 4 pm and Ventura Friday at 6 pm. The Lady Vaqs, who have won three straight WSC Titles, open defense of its title with a road game at Santa Monica College Wednesday Jan. 4 at 5 pm.