Long Beach Dominates Second Half to Defeat LA Mission College

The opening quarter set an intense pace as both teams traded baskets, with the Vikings and the Eagles finishing tied at 20. Brillana Boyd, who had a standout performance for Long Beach, made her presence felt early, scoring six of her game-high 28 points in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Vikings lean on their deep roster to maintain their edge. Yesenia Garcia came off the bench and drained three crucial three-pointers, helping Long Beach edge ahead slightly with a 43-39 halftime lead. LA Mission's Jennasis Burch kept the Eagles competitive, scoring 15 of her team-high 21 points in the first half.

However, the second half belonged entirely to Long Beach. The Vikings outscored LA Mission 18-8 in the third quarter, with Boyd continuing to dominate the paint and grab key rebounds. Boyd finished the night with a commanding double-double, tallying 28 points and 15 rebounds.

The Eagles struggled to find their rhythm in the fourth quarter, managing only seven points. Turnovers became a significant issue for LA Mission, as they gave up 23 possessions, which the Vikings converted into fast-break opportunities. Meanwhile, Long Beach showcased their depth, with Zariha Smith adding 11 rebounds and Garcia contributing 13 points off the bench.

Despite solid efforts from Burch and Lily Cornejo, who had 12 points and seven rebounds, LA Mission couldn't overcome Long Beach's balanced attack and dominance on the boards. The Vikings outrebounded the Eagles 46-28 and tallied 23 assists compared to LA Mission's 11.

With the loss, LA Mission falls to 2-3, while Long Beach improves to 4-3. The Eagles will look to regroup as they head into their next game, hoping to limit turnovers and reignite their offensive spark.

Key Performances

Long Beach City College

• Brillana Boyd: Dominated with a double-double, scoring 28 points on 12-of-24 shooting while grabbing 15 rebounds. Boyd was the anchor for the Vikings on both ends of the court.
• Yesenia Garcia: Provided a spark off the bench, scoring 13 points, including three clutch three-pointers in the second quarter.
• Kimberly Cruz-Martinez: Controlled the offense with 15 assists while also contributing 7 rebounds and 7 points.
• Zariha Smith: Showed her presence in the paint with 11 rebounds and 4 points, contributing to the Vikings' rebounding dominance.

LA Mission College

• Jennasis Burch: Led the Eagles with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added 2 rebounds, providing much-needed scoring for her team.
• Lily Cornejo: Tallied 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, displaying her versatility despite the loss.
• Krystal Pineda: Posted 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist, delivering a strong effort on the glass.
• Crystal Pasaye: Grabbed 6 rebounds and added 8 points, contributing defensively and on the boards.