Preview: Giants host Sacramento City in the second round of NorCal Regional

 The second-seeded College of the Sequoias women's basketball now know their opponent for Saturday's NorCal regional game, as No. 15 Sacramento City defeated No.18 Gavilan 76-29 on Wednesday.

The Panthers (14-15) come into this weekend's matchup motivated and determined to upset the Giants. Sacramento City did not let Gavilan (18-8) score one point in the first quarter, and held the Rams to nine points in the first half.

Sacramento's defense will have to deal with a 14 player-deep rotation Sequoias plays with.

Anchoring the COS (25-3) rotation is Idalis Rubalcava, Dojahnae Senegal, and Alyssa Gonzales.

Rubalcava helped the Giants become outright Central Valley Conference champs with her third straight double-double against Fresno City. The sophomore guard had 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Holding down the paint is Senegal, who makes her presence known on both sides of the ball. She averages close to a double-double every game at nine points and nine rebounds. The sophomore also has 22 blocked shots this season, with three coming last week against Fresno City.

The captain of the offense is Gonzales, and the sophomore point guard is averaging at least three assists a game this season. On the other side of the ball Gonzales does not register much on the stat sheet, but do not let that fool you. She provides a presence that wrecks havoc against opposing point guards.

COS' bread and butter is their defense. The Giants institute a high pressure press, that suffocates opponents.  

Teams are averaging just 53 points against Sequoias.

That kind of defense has led the Giants 12 game winning streak, and 10-0 record at Porter Field House.

COS will look to limit Panthers guards Jessica Lauderdale and Kayley Cravens contributions.

Lauderdale was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line against Gavilan. She chipped in 23 points, and is averaging 17 per game.

Her teammate Kayley Cravens usually averages 7 points per game, but the sophomore broke out with 18 points on Wednesday.

The Giants will look to slow both down on Saturday at Porter Field House. Tip-off for the second round of the NorCal Regional is scheduled for 7 p.m.