(Walnut, CA) A big third-quarter surge in scoring by the Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team led to a 66-54 CCCAA Southern California second-round win over visiting San Diego Mesa on Saturday, March 2nd.

With the playoffs underway, Mt. SAC, which is ranked No. 2 in the state, will aim for a 3C2A record eighth title.

With the victory, the Mounties advanced to their 16th SoCal Championship game in the last 17 competitive years. Mt. SAC, seeded No. 1 in the south, will host No. 9 Seed Long Beach City College, a 68-59 winner over Victor Valley, on Saturday, March 9th.

Mesa, seeded No. 16, held a slim 24-23 lead at the half, but the Mounties exploded in the third quarter with 21 points and led by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter.

Leading the charge for the Mounties was freshman guard Aanisah Moncrief (6-13 FGM-A, 3-4 FTM-A, 7 RB, 1 Asst., 2 Stls.) with 15 points. Also in double figures was freshman guard Daisia Mitchell (5-12 FGM-A, 2-3 FTM-A, 4 A, 2 Stls.) with 12 points, and sophomore guard Asia Gibson (4-9 FGM-A, 1-1 3 PM-A, 3 RB, 1 A, 1 Stl.) added 10 points.

Mitchell also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds (5 offensive, 7 defensive).

"We are here for a reason," said Mitchell, of the playoffs. "When my teammates and I lock in for that final game, we're going to be ready to perform."

Mitchell was recently named CCCAA State Player of the Year for Southern California, along with sophomore Dailani Richardson, who was named to the first team.