Giants fall to FCC; head to No. 10 Merced next

College of the Sequoias lost control of the game midway through the second quarter and never recovered en route to a 76-59 Central Valley Conference loss to Fresno City on Jan. 11 at Porter Field House.

The state No. 17-ranked Giants led by eight points (23-15) on a layup by Alaysia Reed (Las Vegas) with 7:58 remaining in the second quarter. But COS made only 2 of 15 shots the rest of the quarter as the Rams closed on an 18-4 run to build a 33-27 lead at halftime.

After Fresno City (9-7, 1-0) opened the second half on a 7-0 run, the Giants (12-6, 1-1) never got closer than an eight-point deficit.

The Rams' lead ballooned to 19 points (69-50) following Le'Ajanae Kinley's jumper with 6:33 left.

Reed finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead COS.

Elyssa Brumfield (Golden Valley-Bakersfield) scored 14 points, Aubrey Nunes (El Diamante) added 10 points, Serena Ybarra (Coalinga) contributed six points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Felicia Ramirez (Caruthers) delivered two points, eight rebounds and four assists for COS.

The Giants return to action at 5 p.m. Wednesday at No. 10 Merced (13-5, 2-0). 

COS has shared the CVC title with the Blue Devils in each of the past two seasons, while winning three straight conference championships overall.

The Giants next home game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Jan. 18 against Reedley (6-12, 1-1).