WHITTIER --- Freshman Rosie Avalos did all she could to get Rio Hondo College a win on Wednesday night.
Hosting Pasadena City College in a South Coast Conference North Division game, Avalos' layup just moments before the fourth quarter buzzer sent the contest to overtime while her two free throws late in extra time proved to be the game-winner as the Roadrunners snapped a two-game skid with a 70-69 victory over the Lancers.
Avalos had help as she posted one of three double-doubles by Rio Hondo. Avalos totaled 16 points and 15 rebounds in one of her finest games of the season. Sophomore Jennyfer Morales, who fed Avalos on the layup at the whistle, led the Roadrunners with 19 points and had 10 rebounds.
Also getting in on the party was freshman Jiselle Cabrera with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Tiah Sherman added 12 points and Denise Jiminez chipped in with 8 points and 4 steals.
Rio Hondo held a narrow 33-29 lead at halftime before the two squads exchanged leads on multiple occasions throughout the remainder of the contest.
With two minutes remaining in the fourth, the Roadrunners led 59-54 before PCC (7-8, 0-2 SCC) rallied to score eight of the next nine points. Naomi Turner's layup with nine seconds to play put the Lancers ahead 62-60. After Rio Hondo a time out, Morales drove the length of the court before dishing to Avalos for her layup that tied up the game.
In overtime with the score tied up at 68-68, Avalos made a pair of free throws with 1:08 to go to give the Roadrunners the lead for good.
Rio Hondo improved to 8-12 overall and 1-2 in the SCC North Division. The Roadrunners are scheduled to play at L.A. Trade-Tech College on Friday (Jan. 28) at 7 p.m.
