Coyote Athletics : Women's Basketball : Headlines

Coyotes falls 58-53: Home finale ends in disappointment

By Kyle Kensing, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent

“There were not a lot of second chances [for us]...”

Second chance points were the difference yesterday for Cerro Coso in a 58-53 loss to Foothill Conference opponent College of the Desert.

“There were not a lot of second chances [for us],” said Coso head coach Tom Heck. “And down the stretch, they got second chances.”

College of the Desert took advantage of a gap in the Coso frontline — that being the absence of forward Mariah Bomberry, who missed yesterday’s game due to family obligations.

Without their 6-foot post presence, the Lady Coyotes were hindered on the boards, Heck said.

“Mariah’s our best rebounder,” he said.

Yet, even with Bomberry’s absence, the Lady Coyotes were not without opportunities.

Paris Allen scored 17 points — nine of them in the second half — to pace a Cerro Coso team that would not quit.

And putting on that offensive display was not easy, according to Heck.

“Paris and [point guard] Stephanie Hart have been playing in a lot of pain,” he said.

The Lady Coyotes’ backcourt duo played all 40 minutes despite suiting up with injuries.

It’s been a battle Heck’s squad has had to fight all season, with a bench already depleted by injury.

But, as it has all season, the Cerro Coso team battled through its lack of depth and injuries to keep the contest close, thanks to a full court press that in the second half forced several Roadrunner turnovers.

The press helped Coso claw back from a seven-point deficit late in the second half to take a one-point lead.

“We pressed well, and that got us some turnovers,” Heck said.

“But it came down to some breaks here and there.”

Those breaks included a tough call late.

With seven seconds remaining, Allen attempted a 3-pointer with Coso trailing 56-53, that came off the rim.

Dar’Shelle Lynch, who finished with 14 points, tied up the Desert defender.

Lynch was called for the fouled, with the ensuing free throws sealing the game.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

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