Women's Basketball: Jackson, Tobias lead PC to second place at Barstow Tournament

Led by all-tournament selections Denisheun Jackson and Sydney Tobias, the Porterville College women's basketball team picked up a pair of wins on its way to a second-place finish at the Barstow Community College Tournament this past weekend. The Pirates defeated Imperial Valley College and El Camino College Compton Center before falling to No. 2 Southern California-ranked Mt. San Jacinto College in the tournament championship final.

In the two Porterville victories, Jackson averaged 24 points and 14.5 rebounds while Tobias averaged 8 points and was consistent with 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 4.5 steals.

Porterville 79, Imperial Valley 45
Jackson had a monster game, posting a double-double with an amazing 31 points and 15 rebounds in the victory over Imperial Valley. She made 12 of 16 shots, including 4 of 6 from three-point range. Tobias added 12 points to go with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals while Lauren Beath chipped in with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Porterville was up 17-10 after the first quarter before blowing the game open by outscoring IVC 23-7 in the second. The Pirates shot 61 percent from the field (33-54) including 50 percent (10-20) on three-pointers.

Porterville 54, ECC Compton 51
Jackson recorded her second double-double of the tournament and fourth in four games this season with 17 points and 14 rebounds as the Pirates edged Compton 54-51 in the semifinals. Porterville was able to overcome shooting just 30 percent from the field (20-66) and managed to win despite get outrebounded 47-34. Marisol Cerda had a good game with 12 points, 5 steals, and 4 rebounds while Tobias put together another consistent game with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals.  Kayla Nunez chipped in with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.

Mt. San Jacinto 105, Porterville 48
The Pirates run came to an end with the loss to Mt. San Jacinto in the final on Sunday. Porterville trailed 21-12 after one quarter and was in a 49-23 hole at halftime.

Porterville is now 2-3 overall and returns to action on Dec. 1 when the Pirates will compete at the three-day College of the Sequoias Tournament. PC opens play that Thursday at 7 p.m. against Pasadena City College.