The MSJC women's basketball team controlled the second half until the final two and a half minutes Wednesday night as they lost a tough one on the road at #2 ranked Mt. SAC 57-53.

The Eagles and the Mounties were meeting in a clash of two of the state's top ten ranked teams and the game stayed close throughout.  Mt. SAC led after the opening quarter 17-16, but MSJC would go into the halftime break with a 36-33 advantage.  The Eagles pushed the lead to four heading into the fourth period and would increase that lead to as much as nine with just over 4:30 to play.  Valeria Brewer hit a jump shot on an assist from Breyonna Bell with 2:39 remaining to push the Eagle lead back to 7 at 51-44, but the Mounties rallied to score nine straight by forcing MSJC into 4 turnovers and took the lead at 53-51 with 49 seconds to play.  Bell would even the score when she drove the ball the length of the floor and was fouled on a lay-up attempt.  She made both free throws making it 53-53 with 42 seconds remaining.  The Mounties took the lead for good with a pair of free throws themselves with 13 seconds left, and after the Eagles missed a shot to tie the game they were forced to foul again giving Mt. SAC a chance to add the final two points of the contest at the line.

Bell finished the game with a team high 21 points she also passed out a game high 7 assists.  Jana Roman recorded her sixth straight double double as she finished the night with 10 points and 11 boards, while Brewer ended the night with 13 points.  Alaysia Kidwell pulled down a game high 16 rebounds and Natalie Derla grabbed 8 boards.

Daisia Mitchell led the Mounties with 23 points and 7 rebounds.

The loss ends a 12 game winning streak for the Eagles, who are now 15-3 on the season.  The Mounties ranked #1 in Southern California and #2 in the state improved to 15-2.

The Eagles will travel to Palo Verde on Saturday to open Inland Empire Athletic Conference play.  Saturday's game in Blythe is set to tip-off at 1 pm.