Free throws costly in Griffins’ loss to undefeated Mt. SAC

By Bill Dickens
Updated: November 21, 2015

2015-16 GROSSMONT COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

By Chris Davis
© East County Sports.com

EL CAJON (11-21-15) — Coaches across the entire nation talk about how free throws will make or break a game and even seasons.

Friday (Nov. 20) will be one of those games that at the end of the season the Grossmont College Griffins (1-3) will look back on and think, that is one that got away from us, as they dropped a 77-62 non-conference decision against the top-ranked Mt. San Antonio Mounties (4-0).

The Griffins missed 21 free throws in the 15-point defeat. Of course, the Mounties were just as guilty as they missed 23 free throws.

FELICIA PORTER (Monte Vista) pulled in a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. Also reaching double figures in scoring was JAZMINE BRADLEY (Monte Vista) with 10 points.

Mt. SAC lead wire-to-wire in the contest, jumping out to an 8-0 lead before the Griffins got on the board in their home opener with a JUSTINE GARDE (Granite Hills) 3-pointer.

Midway through the first quarter the Mounties were up 10 at 15-5. The Griffins went on a 6-3 run over a 1:43 span to pull within 18-11. However, the Mounties showed why they are the top-ranked team as that would be as close as the Griffins would get the rest of the game. At the end of the first period, it was still a seven-point differential at 22-15.

The Mounties defense tightened up as they would allow the Griffins just nine points in the second period, while scoring 19 of their own.

After halftime, the Griffins would fall further behind as they outscored the Green and Gold 19-14 in the third period.

The final period saw the Griffins go on a 22-13 run over the last 7:30 to close out the game.

Grossmont will travel to Citrus on Tuesday (Nov. 24) before taking the rest of the month off. The month of December will be comprised of three tournaments (including hosting their own) and finals for the Griffins.