Brian Tessler has seen Mt. San Antonio College enough to know what the Mounties bring to the state tournament.

Since becoming the Fresno City College women's basketball coach in 2007, Tessler has taken the Rams to the state finals three times -- and lost each time to Mt. San Antonio.

Tessler and the Rams are back for the fourth time and will open the state final four against top-ranked Mt. SAC at 5 p.m. today on the Cosumnes River campus in Sacramento.

This time around, Tessler likes his team's chances.

"It's anyone's tournament to win," Tessler said. "I really like how we're playing and, if we rebound, there's no reason why we can't win it all."

It likely will be a tough task to beat the defending state champion -- Mt. SAC rolled through the Southern California Regional, defeating No. 19 Los Angeles Pierce 77-49, No. 8 Long Beach 74-59 and No. 5 San Bernardino Valley 59-53.

Morgan Mason is averaging 12.3 points per game to lead the Mounties. Leticia Galarza is averaging 11.4.

"Mt. SAC plays better defense than any team in the state," Tessler said. "We have to be patient on offense and not take hurried shots. Defensively, we must rebound and not give them second-chance shots.

"They play only eight players, so it's important we make sure to play a fast-paced game in order to get them to go deeper within their bench."

This will be the second meeting between Fresno City and Mt. SAC this season, with the Mounties defeating the Rams 88-77 at the College of the Sequoias tournament.

And then there are the past postseason results.

2008: The Rams suffered a 89-83 defeat to Mt. SAC in the state semifinals.

2009: The Mounties outlasted the Rams 70-64 in the quarterfinals.

2012: Fresno City was eliminated by Mt. SAC 71-63 in the state semifinals.

Fresno City advanced to this weekend's state final four after defeating Sierra 83-70 in a NorCal Regional game in which they never trailed. The Rams had 12 steals and four blocks.

Guard DeVaughna Jenkins said the team's emphasis on defense has been an integral part of the Rams' success.

"Defense wins championships," Jenkins said. "Last game, we really came together. I think this time around against Mt. San Antonio, we'll be better prepared than the last time."

JC basketball

WOMEN'S STATE FINALS AT COSUMNES RIVER COLLEGE

Today's semifinals: 5 p.m., No. 1 South: Mt. San Antonio College (32-0) vs. No. 2 North: Fresno City College (30-3); 7 p.m., No. 1 North: Santa Rosa Junior College (27-6) vs. No. 2 South: Mt. San Jacinto College (29-2)

Sunday's final: 3:30 p.m.

State finals appearances:

Santa Rosa: Sixth appearance (won in 1988, 2011)

Fresno City: Sixth (tied for third twice, tied for fifth three times)

Mt. San Antonio: 12th (all since 2001; won in 2004, 2006-07-08, 2012);

Mt. San Jacinto: First appearance