Gentry arrives as Comets’ star late

LONG BEACH (11-28-2018) – Tied at 54-all through three periods of play, fifth-ranked Palomar College regained its winning formula to topple host Long Beach City College, 74-69, in Tuesday’s (Nov. 27) non-conference game at historic Hall of Champions gymnasium.The difference maker was Comets guard Mackenna Gentry, who poured in 10 of her season-high 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Sara Ahmadpour came off the bench to registered 19 points through three periods, but when the Vikings blanked her over the final 10 minutes, Gentry responded with key buckets down the stretch.

Long Beach registered the final five points of the third quarter to get even, but Palomar opene3d the fourth with a Clarissa Taite free throw, then a bucket from Imari Cooley, but Beach again got even at 61-all.

That’s when Gentry went to work, scoring 10 of Palomar’s final 13 points. Included was a go-ahead 3-pointer with 7:02 remaining. A basket by Erica Weitzel twisted Long Beach to a 5-point deficit, then Gentry score seven points over a 4-minute span to cap the triumph.

Cooley finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Taite added 11 points for Palomar (7-1), which had opened the season with six straight victories before falling to powerful East Los Angeles.

Long Beach (3-4) received a game-best 20 points from reserve De’Brianna Hampton, while a trio fo starters added 12 points each, as the Vikings shot 49 percent from the floor to make up for a 40-26 rebounding deficit.