Cuesta Tops Fullerton in Holiday Final

COSTA MESA —  A balanced attack usually beats one outstanding performance and that was the case as the Cuesta women’s basketball team beat Fullerton, 76-65, in the championship of the Coast Christmas Classic Sunday at Orange Coast.

Fullerton’s outstanding performance came from freshman guard Angie Baca, who had a game-high 31 points. She had 21 points, including 15 in a row at one point, in the second half.

Cuesta offset that by having four of its five starters score in double figures.

The tournament title is the third in as many weekends for Cuesta (11-3), which won its tournament two weeks ago and won the Hancock tournament last week.

Fullerton (7-6) led, 29-19, after Baca made a three-pointer, then stole the inbound pass and made a layup with 5 minutes 10 seconds left in the first half.

Cuesta started to surge after that and trailed at the half, 39-36. The Cougars took the lead for good, 56-54, when Sarah Mavety made two free throws with 12:01 left to play.

Baca, who often used her speed to get behind the Cuesta defense, made a layup to cut the lead to 63-61 with 7:56 left. But Fullerton was outscored, 13-4, after that.

Mavety had a team-high 22 points for Cuesta. Anicia Bonds had 20, Kelly McKay 16 and Kerri Cameron 10 for Cuesta.

Bonds, tournament most valuable player, made the all-tournament team along with McKay and Cameron.

Paola Flores had 13 for Fullerton but scored only one point in the second half before fouling out with 5:38 left. Fullerton’s offense also was hampered by the loss of starting sophomore forward Michelle deBruijn, who did not return after twisting her ankle with 8:25 left in the first half.

Baca and deBruijn made the all-tournament team for Fullerton.

In the third-place game:

Orange Coast 73, Chaffey 59--Saki Takemoto scored 18 points, Diane Pulido had 13 and nine rebounds, and Traci Nakamura had 12 points and five assists for Orange Coast (11-4).