Porterville opens SDCC tourney with win over Imperial Valley

Freshman Jessica Mabey had a huge game with 13 points and 12 rebounds to help lead the Porterville College women's basketball team to a 53-39 win over Imperial Valley College in the opening game of the Knights Invitational at San Diego City College on Thursday.

The Pirates went 1-2 at the tournament, falling 58-43 to host San Diego City on Friday before dropping a 53-44 game to Los Angeles Harbor College to close the tourney on Saturday.

Mabey was impressive in her third weekend of the season as she averaged a double-double of 12.7 points and 11.3 rebounds over the three games at SDCC.

On Thursday, the Pirates trailed Imperial Valley 32-29 to open the fourth quarter. But PC opened the period with a 14-2 run to take a commanding 43-34 lead over IVC. Behind 11 fourth-quarter points from Trinity Ramirez and 8 points from Mabey, Porterville outscored Imperial Valley 24-7 in the fourth.

Ramirez went on to score a game-high 17 points to go along with 6 steals and 3 rebounds. Hailey Johnson nearly had a double-double with 10 points and 8 rebounds. She also added 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.

Porterville couldn't erase a second-half deficit against San Diego City on Friday and suffered a 15-point loss to the Knight. SDCC outscored the Pirates 22-12 in the second quarter to take a 35-21 lead into the break.

Mabey posted her second double-double of the tournament, totaling a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds. She added 4 steals and 3 assists.

Breyanna Hernandez contributed 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists while Ramirez added 8 points and 4 steals. SIsi Cruz came off the bench to chip in with 5 rebounds, 3 points, 2 steals, and 2 assists.

Mabey wrapped up the weekend with fourth straight double-double of the season, going for 14 points and 12 rebounds in a nine-point loss to LA Harbor to wrap up the event for the Pirates on Saturday.

PC was down 29-26 to LA Harbor at halftime and would get no closer. The Pirates made just 17 of 71 shots from the field, but sank 7 three-pointers in the contest.

Hailey Johnson nearly had a double-double of her own with 9 points and 10 rebounds. She also totaled 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Hernandez totaled 5 points and 5 assists while Cruz scored 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.

Porterville moved to 2-7 overall and returns to action on Dec. 5 when it opens the three-day Cuesta College Crossover tournament.