(Walnut, CA) It took an extra five minutes in overtime for the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team to take back the championship of its 27th Annual Linda G. Smith Memorial Tip-Off Classic, Sunday November 5, with a 65-62 win over defending champion Butte.
The preseason No. 3 team, Butte, and the fourth-ranked Mounties went toe-to-toe, delighting the fans with neither team leading by more than four points in the second half.
Dailani Richardson had a game-high 19 points (7-14 FGM-A, 5-8 3PM-A, 6 RB, 4 Stls., 1 Asst.). Sophomore guard Carley Bolden scored all her points in the second half and overtime, totaling 14 points (6-15 FGM-A, 1-2 3PM-A, 6 RB, 8 A).
Mt. SAC, which last won the classic in 2019, trailed the Roadrunners 59-57 with just under two minutes to play in the game. A clutch layup by sophomore guard Carley Bolden with fifty seconds remaining in regulation tied the game, 59-59.
Butte, which lost in the 3C2A state championship game last season, sank a game-high 12 3-pointers Sunday and had a chance to win the game with three seconds remaining in regulation but came up short as Bolden grabbed the rebound to send the game into OT.
Butte, which riddled the Mounties with long-range baskets in regulation, took its only lead in OT, 62-59, on a 3-pointer by Morgan Trigueiro.
It was all Mounties after that, as Richardson sank a short jump shot, followed by a layup by Bolden with 2:32 remaining.
The game-clinching moment occurred with just four seconds left in overtime when freshman guard Alexus Behn was fouled and calmly scored her only two points of the game with two free throws, securing the 65-62 lead.
Buttes Madalynn Bassett, who led the Roadrunners with six 3-pointers (18 Pts.), had a chance to tie the game with two seconds left in OT but came up short as Bolden again grabbed the rebound to end the game.
Daisia Mitchell (5-12 FGM-A, 2-2 FTM-A, 6 RB, 4 A, 3 Stls., 1 Blk) and Aanisah Moncrief (4-8 FGM-A, 2-2 FTM-A, 8 RB, 2 A, 2 Stls.) added 12 and 10 points, respectively for the Mounties.
The Mounties will have a break before their upcoming game against Orange Coast College, the defending 3C2A State Champion and the top-ranked team in the state preseason poll. This game is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th, at OCC.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
