Coyote Athletics : Women's Basketball : Headlines

Coyotes rout Cuyamaca, 49-33; 14-0 run to open game sparks team

By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent

Cerro Coso's Christina Franklin (center) and Candace Poleyestewa (10, in dark blue) battle on the defensive end during the first half of the Lady Coyotes' 49-33 win over Cuyamaca Thursday night at the college. Poleyestewa led Cerro Coso in scoring with 22 points on the night. DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY NATHAN AHLE

The Cerro Coso Coyotes grabbed their second win of the young season Thursday night by beating another group of Coyotes, this squad from Cuyamaca College.

Cerro Coso improved to 2-4 on the season with a 49-33 win over Cuyamaca, thanks in large part to a 14-0 run to begin the game.

Winless Cuyamaca didn't score until the 11:14 mark of the first half, over eight minutes into the game. By that tinme, Cerro Coso Head Coach Tom Heck had already inserted some of his reserves in an attempt to get them some valuable playing time.

With the reserves in the game, Cuyamaca surged forward, cutting Cerro Coso's lead to 21-17 with 1:20 to go in the first half. Cerro Coso extended the lead to six by halftime, and began to put the game away in the second half.

Midway through the second, Cerro Coso had opened the lead back up to 16 points and cruised the rest of the way.

Candace Poleyestewa led Cerro Coso in scoring with a career-high 22 points.

"Candace had a good night," Heck said after the game. "She's learning to play inside and had a good game offensively."

Tasheena Nelson added nine points and Stephanie Hart eight to help the cause. Fernanda Yazzie, Orlanda Chee (three points each), Cetra Banks and Christina Franklin (two points each) rounded out the scoring for the home team.

Coach Heck was very pleased with the team's effort in a key non-conference game.

"We needed a win," Heck said. "I told the kids that we're going to have to play a perfect game to win in conference, but we played hard and got the win."

"We don't have the experience right now," he continued. "It's a struggle, especially inside. We have to work on getting rebounds."

Cerro Coso is off until Tuesday, when they travel to Santa Ana College. The team will face Cuyamaca again next week in San Diego, as part of the Cuyamaca Tournament.

December 3, 2004

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