Cold streak derails women

The Saddleback women's basketball team went through a cold streak in the opening half in falling to Cypress College, 54-32, on Wednesday night in the Saddleback Gymnasium.  The Gauchos will look to get back on track on Friday night at Santa Ana.

Saddleback came out blazing hot, outscoring the Chargers 11-5 in the opening five minutes of the game.  Unfortunately, they couldn't buy a basket the rest of the half, falling behind 21-15 at the intermission.  Saddleback went 13 minutes with only two points while Cypress surged ahead. 

Teoncea Bennett kept Saddleback in the game in the opening half, scoring a team-high seven points.  A big blow to the Gauchos was Bennett picking up her third foul early in the second quarter.  From that point forward the Gauchos struggled offensively, making just 1-of-10 shots in the quarter.

Bennett returned in the third quarter and made an immediate impact, drilling a three-pointer 47 seconds into the second half to cut the lead to 21-18.  She later banked in a ball from 13-feet at 4:48 to draw the Gauchos within 27-20.  Bennett would finish with 19 points for the night.

Unfortunately, the good fortunes would be few and far between from that point forward as the pressing defense of Cypress caused a lot of problems for Saddleback.  The Chargers forced the Gauchos into 24 turnovers for the game. 

Saddleback (7-13, 0-2) will play again at Santa Ana College on Friday night.  Tip time is scheduled for 7:00 PM.