Sports

Comets Basketball Advances to Elite Eight w/ 69-47 victory over Ventura

Mike Adams

March 5, 2015

Palomar College Women's Basketball lines up prior to their game against Ventura College on March 4, 2015. Photo Credit / Twitter: @vcscolleges — Palomar College Women’s Basketball lines up prior to their game against Ventura College on March 4, 2015. Photo Credit / Twitter: @vcscolleges

“Tonight is the biggest night of the year because it’s tonight… it’s kill or be killed.”

Those were Palomar coach Leigh Marshall’s words to her squad before last night’s Southern California regional semifinal against the Ventura College Pirates. The Comet’s went out onto the court with that message at heart and, with a commanding defense paired with guard Keisha Cox’s double-double performance, helped Palomar to a remarkable 69-47 win over the defending state champions.

Coming into the matchup the No. 4 seed Ventura Pirates (26-5) had won their last 18 games, including last Friday’s 67-60 win over Fullerton to advance to the Sweet 16. But Palomar (26-3), a team that has been tested throughout the season, did not enter the arena with fear of facing the reigning 25-time champions of the Western State Conf. North Division champions. Winning their first playoff game on Saturday at the Dome against Long Beach College, 51-45, the Comets went in with determination of reaching the later rounds of the tournament.

The game started very competitive with both sides trading points in the first few minutes until Palomar went on a ten-point run midway thru the first half to push the score to 23-17 with six minutes until halftime.

January 7, 2015. Palomar Guard Lee Lee Tomlinson dribbles up the court against Southwestern defender Taylor Smalley during the second half of Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball game at Southwestern College. Palomar won 76-68. Stephen Davis/The Telescope — January 7, 2015. Palomar Guard Lee Lee Tomlinson dribbles up the court against Southwestern defender Taylor Smalley during the second half of Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women’s basketball game at Southwestern College. Palomar won 76-68. Stephen Davis/The Telescope

Starting the second half with a 34-24 lead the Comets jumped out the gate, scoring the first seven points. Ventura came into the game averaging 65.9 points per contest but were unable to ever get a foothold on Coach Marshall’s side. Shooting 24-86 from the field (27.9%) and being out-rebounded 46-29, the Pirates were never able to adjust and recover. This loss was Ventura’s second-biggest home postseason defeat in history and now with two home playoff loses in the past nine years, both to Palomar (’13, ’15), Coach Ned Mircetic will spend the offseason looking to retool his team.

The Palomar Women's Basketball team celebrates after their game against Long Beach City College during the second round of The California Community College Athletic Association Southern Regional Quarterfinal Playoffs on Feb 28. Palomar won the game 51-46; Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope — The Palomar Women’s Basketball team celebrates after their game against Long Beach City College during the second round of The California Community College Athletic Association Southern Regional Quarterfinal Playoffs on Feb 28. Palomar won the game 51-46; Claudia Rodriguez/The Telescope

For Palomar, guard Keisha Cox continued her stellar season leading the team with 26 points (11-21) and 10 rebounds along with key contributions from Tessa Balcom (17 pts.), Melissa Allen (11 pts.), Chelsea Ayala (10 pts.), and Mikaela Shannon (10 rebs.).

“Cox was a big key,” coach Leigh Marshall said. “Ayala really stepped up off the bench. We got her some scoring opportunities and she contributed some steals. I thought the play of our point guards, Ayala and (Lee Lee) Tomlinson was critical for us. They played great defense on their point guard (Aubri Smith), their best player.”

10782191053_60b6259333_o (1)crop — Head Coach Leigh Marshall works up a play at the start of over-time against Santa Ana College. /Photo Credit: Stephen Davis, The Telescope

Palomar now advances to the state Elite Eight, and will play in the SoCal Regional Final on Saturday March 7 at the No. 1 ranked Mt. San Antonio Mounties who are 32-0 after beating Cypress College at home 63-41. The winner of that contest will advance to the state Final Four the following weekend at Cerritos College.

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