Pirates reach tourney final

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Orange Coast College’s women’s basketball team beat Citrus College, 53-41, in the semifinals of the Conoco Phillips Invitational at Cuesta College on Friday.

It was the seventh consecutive victory for the Pirates (8-1) since losing to Compton, 70-62, in the first round of the Mount SAC Tipoff Tournament.

Sophomore forwards Jillian Ricks and Madison Parks each had a game-high 10 points for Orange Coast. Freshman forward Kristen Cabral came off the bench to score seven points, while freshman guard Laurie Denning had six points.

OCC led, 24-21, at halftime before pulling away. Each of the Pirates’ three three-pointers came in the second half -- one each from Valerie Katayama, Devin Hundley and Ricks.

Orange Coast connected on 18 of 26 free throws, compared to 6 of 13 for the Owls.

It was the second win for OCC against Citrus College this season. The Pirates won the first meeting, 72-45, on Nov. 22 at Citrus behind 15 points apiece from Denning and Parks.

The Pirates, ranked No. 11 in Southern California and No. 20 in the state, will face tournament host Cuesta in the championship game today at 4 p.m.

Cuesta reached the finals with a 61-47 victory over Bakersfield College.

Cuesta Tournament

Semifinals

Orange Coast 53,

Citrus 41

Score by Quarters