Los Mission College Women's Basketball Edges College of the Canyons in Defensive Battle
In a game defined by grit and defensive intensity, Los Angeles Mission College held on to defeat College of the Canyons, 49-47, in a dramatic showdown on November 30, 2024.
The first quarter set the stage for an evenly matched contest, with both teams trading baskets to end the period tied at 23. Canyons' Mia Ceja provided an early spark, hitting two of her three triples in the opening frame, while LA Mission's Unique Doroteo contributed a perfect 5-for-5 shooting night off the bench, giving the Eagles valuable inside scoring.
In the second quarter, LA Mission began to separate themselves with a 16-8 run, capitalized by Lily Cornejo's precision from beyond the arc. Cornejo finished the night with 13 points and eight rebounds, anchoring the Eagles' offensive efforts.
The third quarter saw Canyons claw their way back, fueled by Viviana Alvarado's sharpshooting. Alvarado, who matched Ceja with 16 points on the night, led the Cougars on a 16-10 run to close the gap to just two points heading into the fourth.
The final quarter was a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. Neither team scored a single point in the final four minutes of regulation. Canyons had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final possession, but a critical rebound by Crystal Pasaye on a missed jumper by Ceja secured the win for LA Mission.
The Eagles overcame shooting struggles from deep, connecting on just 13% of their three-point attempts, by dominating the glass with 40 rebounds to Canyons' 30. Doroteo and Krystal Pineda were pivotal in the paint, combining for 16 boards and 18 points.
With the win, LA Mission improves to 3-2 on the season, showing resilience in tight situations.