University of La Verne: February 2008 Archives
In the first-ever SCIAC Women's Basketball Tournament, the University of La Verne held off the University of Redlands 65-60 in a hotly-contested semifinal battle Thursday night at Frantz Athletic Court.
With the win, La Verne (19-7) sweeps the three games against the Bulldogs this season and will face Occidental in Saturday's SCIAC Championship game in Eagle Rock. The Tigers defeated Cal Lutheran 69-47 in the other semifinal. Redlands ends its season at 17-9.
The Leopard defense proved key in holding the Bulldogs to 37.9% from the field while forcing 15 turnovers. Additionally, the Leos won the rebounding battle with 45 boards compared to 38 for the visitors.
ULV took control late in the first half with a 22-9 run to take its largest lead of the game at 34-21 with 3:02 remaining to eventually hold a 36-27 advantage at intermission.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with a 12-5 spurt to close within two points at 41-39 at the 15-minute mark. Redlands, however, wouldn't get any closer as the Leopards were able to sustain their lead throughout. La Verne stretched the margin to eight points at 50-42 before the Bulldogs again whittled down the lead to two points (58-56) with five minutes left.
La Verne was able to subdue the Bulldogs by getting key baskets from Emily Carrillo and Trenecca Jones while not allowing a Redlands field goal for over four minutes. Heather Lokar's three-point basket cut the ULV lead to 62-60 with 21 seconds left, but Jones converted four of five free throw attempts to advance the Leopards to Saturday's championship game.
Jones tallied 17 points while posting a game-high 18 rebounds. In the process, she collected her 14th double-double of the season. Carrillo sparkled in her return to the lineup with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting to tie for game-high honors with Jones. Marissa Raya added 10 points for the Leopards.
For Redlands, point guard Valarie Katayama posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds with Lokar totaling a team-high 12 points.
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The University of La Verne boasted the top four individual finishers and cruised to a a first-place team showing at the first SCIAC tournament of the season at the 6,628-yard par 72 Empire Lakes.
The Leopards, the national Division III runner-up a year ago, tallied 284 while Claremont-Mudd Scripps was second (305) and Redlands third (306). Pomona-Pitzer tied Cal Lutheran for fourth (319).
The Leos Mitchell Fedorka took medalist honors with a 70. Teammates Rizal Amin and Andrew Kramer were one stroke back while Chris Davis was two back. Also representing the school were Jordan Talah (75) and Kevin Smith (78).
John Morris had the best finish for the Stags (74) . His teammates included Luke Redfern (75), Kurt Scheline (76) and Kyle Cassella (80).
Ross Canavao was the top player for Redlands (75). Other finishers for the Bulldogs were Nick Giordano (76), Scott Pena (77), E.J. Stenftenagel (78) and Ryan Williams (79).l
Aex Nakao led the Sagehens (77).
MARISSA RAYA
University of La Verne
Basketball
The lowdown: The 5-foot-7 senior guard leads the SCIAC in scoring at 18.9 points per game and has helped the Leos (14-5, 7-1) to a tie for first place. Has been the team’s leading scorer 13 times with a season-high of 35 coming against Cal Lutheran. Also had 34 in a nonconference game against Transylvania that included the 1,00th point of her career in that game. Has scored 30 or more four times and 20 or more eight times. Has been named SCIAC Female Athlete of the Week twice already this season. Was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior, averaging 15 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Age: 21
Hometown: Pasadena
High school: Bassett High School, 2004
Major: Criminology
Favorite athlete: Mia Hamm
Favorite team: Los Angeles Lakers
Most memorable moment: Winning the SCIAC in 2007.
Role model: My grandmother (Maria)
Person most influential in your athletic success: My parents (Francisco and Sheri).
Last good book you read: Monster: Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member by Sanyika Shakur (AKA Monster Kody Scott).
Favorite movie: Grandma’s Boy
Can’t miss television shows: Dexter
Favorite vacation spot: Laughlin, Nev.
Favorite food: Barbeque ribs
Celebrity you most want to meet: David Beckham
Best advice anyone has given you: Not to quit at anything. Do what I love and always do the right thing.
Pre-game ritual or superstition: If I ride with friends on game day, I have to be the one that drives.
What’s in your CD player/iPOD? Mix tape (Hip-hop, reggae, oldies).
Other hobbies: Looking at cars, watching movies.
What do you want to be doing in five years: Become a police officer.
