Bobcats Edge Westcliff in OT

by BRANDON PETERSEN

The Westcliff women's basketball team found itself embroiled in an instant classic Thursday night at the Jordan Lawley Center, but came up just short to UC Merced in overtime, 70-68.

The Bobcats and Warriors came into the contest with a combined 13 California Pacific Conference wins and just one loss, and the game played out like a battle of the behemoths, with both sides trading blows until a winner was eventually declared.

The victor was the visitors from the North, as led by Rainah Smith (17 points), who knocked down the game-winner with 2.1 seconds left in overtime.

"It was a great game, and that's what we play for," Westcliff head coach Kyle Rouse said. "I love games like that. Does it mean something? Of course. But at the end of the day, the goal that we set for ourselves has nothing to do with this game. With three games left, our team has put themselves in position to make that happen."

Westcliff dominated the first half, taking a 30-21 lead into the locker room.

But after a back-and-forth third, UC Merced stormed back in the fourth, erasing an 11-point deficit to tie the game with just seconds left in regulation.

The Bobcats rode the hot hand of Haylee Owen, who scored a team-high 18 on 4-of-7 shooting from range.

"That's a really good team," Rouse said of the Bobcats. "I'm excited to see them in the conference championship. That will be a good rematch, hopefully we'll both be there."

Trinity Vasquez was her reliably remarkable self, scoring a game and season-high 29 on 11-of-18 shooting to complement seven boards and a trio of dimes.

Bailey Hawkins dominated the post, scoring 18, grabbing eight boards and collecting three blocks. She also hit a pair of icy free throws to give the Warriors a one-point lead in the final minute.

"One thing I'm really proud of this group for is we shot 90-percent from the free throw line again," Rouse said. "Eighty-eight the other day, 90 tonight – if we can continue things like that, that's it."

Laura Tapia scored 11, had four assists and three steals, and Neyha Lali was generous from the two, handing out three assists while snagging a pair of steals, including an interception at midcourt that she raced with the other way for a pair.

"I never talk about wins and losses, but we talk about hitting our goals," Rouse said. "We talk about playing the game to our potential and we still hit five out of seven of our goals. That's a win in my book. But this is what happens – sometimes it comes down to one play, and it did.

"They were the better team on that play. It's all good."

The Warriors (10-10, 7-2) have three games left before the Cal Pac playoffs begin.

Simpson comes calling Saturday at JLaw for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

Westcliff then travels to Antelope Valley Thursday, before wrapping up the regular season at Golden West with Saint Katherine on the 21^st.

To contact Brandon Petersen, e-mail brandonpetersen@westcliff.edu.