WBB: MSJC Stumbles in Final Regular Season Game, Still Earn #5 Seed in Regional

The MSJC women's basketball team will open the 2024 play-offs at home on Saturday against the winner of RCC/Citrus at 7 pm.  (Jerry Lee Palad-MSJC)
The MSJC women's basketball team will open the 2024 play-offs at home on Saturday against the winner of RCC/Citrus at 7 pm. (Jerry Lee Palad-MSJC)

The MSJC women's basketball team was forced to share their Inland Empire Athletic Conference championship Friday night when they lost a heartbreaker in overtime at Victor Valley.

The Eagles controlled the game for the first 35 minutes, before a late surge by the Rams forced the game into overtime where they out scored MSJC 10-5 to come away with the 69-64 win.  Victor Valley, whom the Eagles had already beaten twice this season, pulled into a first place tie with MSJC and both teams ended the regular season with 7-1 marks in IEAC action.  The Eagles struggled to make shots on the road Friday as the team went just 20 of 74 from the floor in the loss.  Jana Roman had a double double for the Eagles as she scored 10 points and pulled in an impressive 22 rebounds.  Breyonna Bell struggled from the field, but got to the free throw line 16 times to finish the game with 15 points.  Valeria Brewer added 12 points and Lauren Pagtakhan had 11.  Three Eagles fouled out in the game leaving them short handed in the overtime session.

Despite the loss the IEAC co-Champion Eagles finished the year 24-4 overall and earned the #5 seed in the upcoming 3C2A Southern California Regional Tournament where they were awarded a first round bye.  The Eagles will host the winner of the Riverside/Citrus first round game on Saturday March 2nd at 7 pm.