Harbor Women Overpower Bakersfield College, 98-60

Bakersfield College forgot about LeKeisha Melinger Wednesday night.

When the Renegades focused their attention on stopping Bridgete Williams, Melinger stepped up and scored 21 first-half points, including five three-point baskets, to help host Harbor beat Bakersfield, 98-60, in the first round of the Southern Regional state tournament.

“They don’t come out on me, I’m going to shoot it,” said Melinger, who finished with 23 points.

Bakersfield (16-12) used a diamond and one defense on Williams, but could not keep the sophomore below her 39-point average.

Williams had a game-high 45 points despite wearing a bandage to protect a fractured right thumb on her shooting hand.

“(The defense) was something we were used to,” Williams said. “I’ve been double-teamed, triple-teamed. We just adjust to it.”

The Seahawks (27-3) will play host to Valley on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Leading 11-10, the Seahawks went on a 28-6 run to take a 39-16 lead with six minutes 27 seconds left in the first half. Harbor led, 54-24, at halftime and increased the lead to 89-44 with 5:07 left in the game.

“Our game plan was to control the tempo,” Bakersfield Coach Jennifer Dahl said. “We didn’t follow (it). They were much quicker than we were.”

The Seahawks full-court press helped lead to 21 steals.

LaTasha Burnett, a 5-foot-6 freshman, had a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Alexis Ash led the Renegades with 12 points.

Melinger was pleased Bakersfield gave her room to shoot.

“I’m really relieved they didn’t guard me,” said Melinger, who came in averaging 19 points a game.