First Half Sharpshooting Propels Cypress to Third Straight Win
Thomas hit a double-double Wednesday night. |
January 3rd, 2007
box score
Cypress, Calif. – The Chargers opened Orange Empire Conference play Wednesday hosting the Tigers of Riverside. Cypress started on the right foot jumping out to an early lead and hanging on to defeat Riverside 81-72. Sophomore forward Brandi Thomas hit her third double-double of the season scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds and 4 steals to lead the Chargers.
After a brief back and forth battle to start the game, Cypress caught fire with a flurry of three-pointers to stretch their lead to as much as 20 before ending the half with the 52-33 lead. Cypress was 7 for 10 from the three-point line in the first half led by Kishawn Hill and Yanet Enriquez with 3 three-pointers a piece. Cypress started strong in the second half extending their lead to 23 at the 15:24 mark before losing steam. Riverside went on a 9-2 run in the second half and kept chipping away and came as close as seven with just under a minute and a half left. Cypress was able to hold on with the clock on their side for the nine point victory.
Sophomore returning all-conference guard Brae Butler started this season strong with 13 points and 7 rebounds with 3 assists. Enriquez went 3 for 5 from the three point line and finished with 14 points and 5 assists. Sophomore forward Kishawn Hill’s first half performance earned her 12 points and 7 rebounds. Sophomore guard Marissa Bravo was Cypress’s fifth player in double-digits with 13 points in addition to 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Cypress has a day to prepare for the top ranked Orange Empire Conference opponent in Orange Coast. OCC is ranked third in Southern California and is 15-3 coming off of a 100-40 win over Golden West to open their OEC schedule. The Pirates have scored 100 and 127 in their past two games. Cypress will attempt an upset on the road Friday at 7:30 pm at Orange Coast.