SANTA ANA - It took five extra minutes, but the Dons opened their own tournament with a 67-59 win in overtime over San Diego Mesa College. The win sets up a rematch from last season's tournament championship against Moorpark College, a game the Dons won 67-58.
Overtime in tonight's game came after the two teams traded the lead several times in the final three minutes. Alysia Gamboa pulled the Dons (2-5) into two ties with SD Mesa (2-4) at 49-49 and 51-51. With the visiting Olympians leading 53-51, Jocelyn Calvillo hit a layup and was fouled. After successfully converting the free throw, the Dons found themselves up one with 57 seconds remaining.
However, a late turnover and subsequent foul gave Mesa two free throws with 15 seconds left. Fortunately for the Dons, just one was converted and the game went to overtime tied at 54-54. It was the Olympians with the early hot hand as they grabbed a 58-54 lead 1:30 into overtime.
But that was when the Dons began to rally. Kylie Rodriguez made a layup before Gamboa scored the game's next six points, capped with a three-pointer that put the Dons in command at 62-58. Mesa managed just one point for the remainder of the game as the Dons pulled away to the 67-59 victory.
Gamboa led the Dons with 17 points followed by Rodriguez with 14. Calvillo was the third Don in double digits as she scored 10 points. Calvillo and Rodriguez finished tied with nine rebound. Mesa's Madison Ramirez led all scorers with 20 points in the losing effort.
Next for the Dons is Moorpark College at 8:00 PM in Friday's semfinal match.
Other Tournament Games
Bakersfield College opened the tournament with an 85-60 win over MiraCosta College before San Bernardino Valley College edged West Hills-Lemoore 62-60. The third game of the day went to Moorpark College as the Raiders held off a late rally to defeat Merced College 47-46.
Friday's games open with MiraCosta vs. West Hills at 2:00 PM in the first consolation semifinal before Merced takes on San Diego Mesa at 4:00 PM in the other consolation semifinal.
Bakersfield and San Bernardino Valley play in the first semifinal at 6:00 PM followed by the rematch between the defending champs, and host, Dons and Moorpark at 8:00 PM.
