Gauchos make finals of Husky Classic

The Saddleback women's basketball team made it to the finals of the East Los Angeles College Husky Classic on Wednesday with a 62-50 win over Moorpark College.  The Gauchos will take on host East Angeles in the finals at 5:00 PM.

Saddleback started the tournament with a decisive 79-56 win over the University of Antelope Valley JV team on Tuesday.  In that game, guard Kara Ito set the new program record for assists in a game.  Ito dished out 12 assists while all five starters scored in double-figures.  Janae Omusi led the squad with 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

Wednesday's game had a similar feel as Saddleback darted out to a 45-25 lead at the half.  Moorpark scored the first four points of the game and led 6-2 before the Gauchos came storming back.  Saddleback outscored the Raiders 17-8 over the final 8:18 of the quarter as Omusi had 12 points in the quarter.  They extended the lead in the second quarter when Laura Tapia heated up from the outside.  Tapia made 2-of-3 from behind the arc while Saddleback outrebounded Moorpark 14-7.  Her final three-pointer came as time expired to put the Gauchos up by 20.

Saddleback cruised the rest of the way as Omusi finished with 20 points for the game and Tapia 16.  The defense finished by forcing 24 Moorpark turnovers, with Kiazha Ginwright totaling seven steals for the day.

Saddleback will play East Los Angeles in the finals on Thursday at 5:00 PM.  The Huskies advanced to the finals with a 101-65 win over Los Angeles Harbor College.

Saddleback and East Los Angeles have met once this season in the finals of the Saddleback Tournament, with ELAC holding on for a 62-57 win.