College basketball games typically last 40 minutes. But the Fresno City College women needed 55 to subdue Cypress and capture the Merced Tournament on Saturday.
Blakely Goldberg scored 31 points and Sumiya Darden added 26 points and 25 rebounds as the Rams outlasted Cypress 118-115 in triple overtime.
"I think both teams were physically and mentally exhausted," Rams coach Brian Tessler said. "I've never been in a game like that in all my years coaching women's basketball at the community college level."
Leading by 5 in the final 10 seconds of regulation, Fresno (3-0) looked to have it wrapped up until Debbie Chavez forced overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Fresno then forced double overtime on Darden's 3-pointer with 2 seconds left. Goldberg and Darden each logged more than 45 minutes, Tessler said.
Marlee Wilkinson's 3-pointer with less than a minute left in the third overtime gave the Rams a five-point lead. Fresno survived four missed free throws in the final seconds and a desperation heave at the buzzer.
*Reedley 56, San Diego Mesa 32: Blair Scott scored 12 points and Jasmine Walters added 11 to lead the Tigers.
Sunbirds men keep winning
The Fresno Pacific men continued their early-season roll by defeating NAIA No. 9 Westminister (Utah) 87-85 in double overtime at the Las Vegas Shootout.
It was the second victory over a top 10 team in as many days for the Sunbirds, ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll. Fresno Pacific (5-0) downed top-ranked Robert Morris 98-88 on Friday.
The Sunbirds trailed 39-30 at halftime.
Fresno Pacific women fall
Junior forward Jessica Torrecillas scored 16 points but could not prevent the Fresno Pacific women from losing 58-46 to Northwest Christian at the Warrior Classic in Rocklin.
The Sunbirds (1-4) were outscored by 12 points in the second half.
Sophomore guard Keri Stephanoff added 12 points and five rebounds for Fresno Pacific, which has ample time to refocus for its Golden State Athletic Conference opener against Biola on Dec. 1.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy fresnobee.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines.
Here are the ground rules:
Contents of this site are © Copyright The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@