Mt. San Antonio ends Ram’s championship dreams

The Fresno City College women’s basketball team finished its season with a 71-63 loss against Mt. San Antonio College at the state semifinals on Friday.

The Rams trailed by 11 points at halftime and were plagued by missed layups, traveling calls and fouls.

Heading into halftime, the Rams picked up momentum to catch up with Mt. SAC. Taryn Sayama led the team into the second half with seven points. Returning in the second half was the Rams’ usual style of basketball. The women made more layups, controlled the ball better and put pressure on 6-foot-3 inch forward, Danielle Peacon.

The Rams took the lead as Peacon went to the bench with foul troubles. But it was a short-lived lead. Even as Peacon went to the bench, the height advantage of Mt San Antonio players was too much for the Rams to overcome. The Mounties controlled the paint with a 46-26 advantage.

The Rams’ foul trouble continued as sophomore forward Nicole Chapple, who scored 18 points, fouled out of the game with two minutes and 32 seconds remaining on the clock.

Rams’ head coach Brian Tessler decided to play the foul game in an attempt to lengthen the game with free throw shots. The tactic, however, did not work. Mt. SAC was still able to make free throws under pressure.

In their final game, sophomores Taryn and Sarina Sayama, Nicole Chapple, Tabitha Torres and Sarah Mendoza combined for 58 out of the 63 points.

The Rams finished the season with a record of 28-6. The Mounties scoring was led by 30 points from freshmen guard, Morgan Mason.

This season the Rams have collected honors on every level. Every sophomore has been acknowledged by either the Central Valley Conference or the State as outstanding Athletes.

Rams players Taryn and Sarina Sayama were named Central Valley Conference First Team while guard Tabitha Torres was recently named a member of the California Junior College All Star First Team to go along with her CVC co-player of the year award.

Sarah Mendoza is a member of the CJC All Star Second Team and Nicole Chapple is one of the five All-Tournament Team members. Head Coach Brain Tessler is the California Junior College Co-Coach of the year in addition to his Central Valley Conference honor.