COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : Golden West Goes Cold, Loses Title Game to Riverside

FULLERTON —  Golden West had its poorest shooting performance of the season Thursday and the result was its worst loss.

Riverside took advantage of the cold Rustlers to win, 65-45, in the title game of the Fullerton women’s tournament.

It was the ninth consecutive victory for Riverside (17-5). The loss stopped Golden West’s 10-game winning streak. Golden West had beaten Riverside, 73-67, earlier this season.

The teams, the favorites for the Orange Empire Conference title, open conference play against each other Wednesday at Riverside.

Golden West had no player score more than Julie Jones’ eight points and made only 19 of 77 shots.

“Maybe it was our fault as coaches,” Golden West Coach Dave Stricklin said. “We really downplayed the importance of this game.”

Riverside led, 26-20, at the half and pulled away behind the play of forward Audrey McMurry, the tournament’s most valuable player.

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In the third-place game:

Cypress 66, Fullerton 57--Christy Kalbhenn scored 23 of her game-high 26 in the first half for Cypress (15-4), which led at the break, 40-26. She made five of seven three-point tries. Yolanda Hearvey added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Cypress. Kalbhenn and Sara Works made the all-tournament team.

Nikki Clark, also an all-tournament selection, had 12 points for Fullerton (12-9).