Women’s basketball: Pirates fall to Riverside

RIVERSIDE - The Orange Coast College women’s basketball team nearly

pulled off an Orange Empire Conference upset Friday night at Riverside,

but came up on the short end of a 77-72 decision.

Freshman Kyra Melville led the Pirates (15-14, 5-7 in conference) with

19 points and seven rebounds, while Karyn Fierst added 14 points and four

assists.

The Pirates trailed by only one point with under one minute left in

the game, but the Tigers’ Claudine Auld (22 points, 10 assists, six

rebounds) converted a three-point opportunity and hit an additional free

throw to seal the win.

Malya Hasan chipped in 15 points and eight rebounds, while Johnette

Moss added 11 points for the first-place Tigers (24-5, 11-1).

The Pirates trailed by only two points at the half, thanks to strong

play from Nadia Mojica (13 points, seven rebounds) and Jennifer Nakano

(10 points).

The Pirates will resume OEC play at Saddleback Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE

Riverside 77, Orange Coast 72

Orange Coast - Masuda 4, Fierst 14, Redmond 3, Melville 19, Nakano 10,

Mojica 13, Urban 9.

3-pt. goals - Nakano 2, Fierst 2, Redmond 1, Melville 1, Urban 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

Riverside - Auld 22, Guvlekjian 3, Moss 11, Romagnoli 8, Reedom 5,

Cass 4, Tuntland 8, Ika 1, Hasan 15.

3-pt. goals - Tuntland 2, Auld 1, Guvlekjian 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

Halftime - Riverside, 42-40.