The San Diego City College women’s basketball team won the final game of the Knights Crossover against San Bernardino Valley on Dec. 5 at Harry West Gym, ending the tournament 2-0.
Entering the first quarter of the game, the Knights began playing a slower-paced game using their height as their leverage to secure points.
Both teams pushed through each other’s defenses, never letting their opponent lead by more than five points. Tied at 22-22 with 13 seconds left, Elissa St. Julien made a layup, ending the first quarter up by two points.
There was a switch for the Knights, only allowing the Wolverines to secure nine points in the second quarter of the game.
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Second time in the starting lineup, freshman Laylah Castro was crucial to the defensive play for the Knights during this quarter.
She missed two games of the season due to an injury, playing only 37 minutes in six games. This was the second game in which she had been cleared to play for a longer period of time.
Although it might not be seen in the number of points she scored, her ability to completely trust where her teammates are going to be on the court and find an opening for them to put the ball away was evident even after coming back from an injury.
The Knights continued to rack up points through the third and fourth quarters, never allowing the Wolverines to lead or tie in points.
Sophomore Dahlia Blake played her best of the season with 35 points, 17 rebounds and eight turnovers. Being the largest number of points she has scored this season for the Knights.
Leading the team to victory in the last game of the Knights Crossover.
The Knights will have a double header on Dec. 17, starting at 5 p.m. at Harry West Gym, where the women’s basketball team will face off against Compton. The men’s basketball team will continue quickly against Grossmont at 7 p.m.
This story was edited by Mari Pliego and Mylo Gallardo.