Giants can't keep pace with No. 9 Merced; resume playoff chase with game at Reedley
A cold third quarter doomed College of the Sequoias' upset bid of the state No. 9-ranked women's basketball team.
The Giants shot 2 for 11 from the field and 0 for 4 from beyond the 3-point arc in the third quarter to see a five-point halftime deficit become a 22-point hole during an 83-71 Central Valley Conference loss to Merced on Feb. 8.
COS (16-9, 5-4) outscored the Blue Devils (20-5, 9-0) by 10 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
The Giants, who are ranked No. 13 in Northern California, were led by Serena Ybarra (Coalinga), who delivered 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Sapphire Jones (Hanford) and Neli Diaz (McFarland) scored 14 points each for COS.
Alaysia Reed (Las Vegas) had 10 points and four steals, while Felicia Ramirez (Caruthers) added nine points and eight rebounds for the Giants.
COS, which is seeking an eighth straight berth in the Northern California Regional playoffs, have three regular season games remaining.
The Giants play at Reedley (11-13, 6-2) at 5 p.m. Feb. 12, then close with consecutive games at home at Porter Field House: 5 p.m. Feb. 19 against Porterville (3-21, 1-7) and 5 p.m. Feb. 21 against West Hills-Lemoore (8-17, 4-5).
