SANTA ANA - In their first trip to the championship game of their own tournament, the Dons held off a late Moorpark College rally to win the championship by a final of 67-58. Ashley Whisler was named the tournament Most Valuable Player as she finished the final game with 20 points. Carly Ducat and Alexus Lopez were named All-Tournament after each playing a vital role in the Dons three wins during the tournament.
The Dons (7-3) took control of the game early behind hot shooting before taking a 37-30 lead into the break. At one point, the Dons were shooting 65% before cooling off to 42% for the half. Santa Ana's biggest lead of the first half came at 14 points with six minutes left in the half when Whisler converted three-straight free throws to put the Dons up 35-21.
Santa Ana built their lead back up to 11 points just over eight minutes into the second half on a Shania Jacobson layup that made the score 51-40. However, Moorpark (6-3) would mount a rally and quickly erase the Dons lead, pulling as close as two points at 53-51 with 5:56 left in the game.
But the Dons wouldn't let the Raiders get any closer than three points for the rest of the game as they went on to the 67-58 victory. Santa Ana was led by Whisler who scored 20 points followed by Jazmine Johnson's 18 points. Johnson also led the Dons in rebounding with 14 while also blocking four shots.
Moorpark was led all weekend by Riley Abraham who capped the tournament off with a 28-point, 16-rebound performance, earning her a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Tournament Recap
The final day of the Santa Ana College Tournament started off with San Diego Mesa College winning the Consolation Championship with a 75-70 victory over the College of the Desert.
In the third place game, Merced College defeated West Hills-Lemoore College 66-43 before the Dons took the Championship with their 67-58 victory over Moorpark College.
Most Valuable Player - Ashley Whisler, Santa Ana College
All-Tournament Team
Kimberly Scott, San Diego Mesa College
Brenai Walker, Merced College
Riley Abraham, Moorpark College
Carly Ducat, Santa Ana College
Alexus Lopez, Santa Ana College
