Comets overwhelm Vikings at MSJC Crossover

HEMET, CA (11/9/2023) -- A week and a half after opening their season, Palomar College Women's Basketball made their annual trip to Mt. San Jacinto College for a crossover event. In game one, the Comets faced the Long Beach City College Vikings and won 96-62 in a game that saw six tues and eight lead changes.

The Vikings had a one-point lead after one quarter, but the Comets stepped on the gas in second, outscoring the Vikings 27-11. They didn't let up either, continuing to lay it on in the second half. Palomar scored 50 points to Long Beach's 31. To get there, freshman guard Angelina De Leon scored 31 points off the bench for Palomar. She was 11-17 in the field, 3-6 beyond the arc and a perfect 6-6 at the charity stripe. She also tacked on five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Nevaeh Mageo, another freshman guard, had 17 points off the bench, while sophomore Faith Brinkman finished with 14 and sophomore Mackenzie Kozina had 12. Kozina recorded her first double-double of the season by securing 11 rebounds, six offensive. She also totaled five assists, five steals and one block. Palomar was held to just 13 three-pointers on the day. As a team, they shot 68.4% at the free throw line. 

The two teams nearly tied the rebound battle, but the difference was in the turnovers. Palomar committed just 13, while Long Beach had 34. The Comets converted those turnovers in 45 points and off their 20 offensive rebounds, were able to get another 26 points. 

Palomar improves to 2-0 and will face Antelope Valley College Friday morning at 11 a.m.