GAME PREVIEW: Playoff bid on the line as City College women’s basketball closes regular season

Knights, set to play Imperial Valley in finale, look to keep momentum after 61-36 win against Grossmont
City College sophomore Cerina Nguyen shoots a jumper over Mesas Kendal Alloway in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Harry West Gym, Wednesday. Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by Samantha Griffen/City Times Media
City College sophomore Cerina Nguyen shoots a jumper over Mesa’s Kendal Alloway in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at Harry West Gym, Wednesday. Feb. 14, 2024. Photo by Samantha Griffen/City Times Media

The San Diego City College women’s basketball team has had a season of highs and lows. 

“We didn’t get every ending we wanted in every game, but as a team, we have improved a lot since our first game,” said freshman guard Christina Bowen.  

With wins over Reedley, Chaffey and Saddleback back in November, the Knights sharpened their swords for a seven-game winning streak, the longest of their season. 

But as Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play began, consistency hasn’t come easy for City (16-11), which has a 6-5 record against league opponents.

But of those games, City has won three of its last four, with the one loss coming on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Mesa in overtime.

And the Knights’ 16 wins so far are a program record.

Now, with a playoff berth still a possibility, the timing is as good as it could be as the regular-season finale for the Knights will be played tomorrow in Harry West Gym.

“I think being able to come back together to play these last couple of games has been a blessing in disguise,” head coach Andrea Aguliar-Montalban said.

Leading the way for City is Cerina Nguyen. The 6-foot sophomore forward is averaging a team-high 16.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, the most of any player in the conference in both categories.

Bowen, along with sophomore Cusha Landry and freshman D’Ajanae Lewis are also averaging 10-plus points per game in scoring. 

After City fell in overtime to Mesa at home Feb 14, Aguliar-Montalban said she was proud of her team and the effort they gave. 

“They did not shy away at any time,” Aguliar-Moantalban said. “I can’t be disappointed with the effort they gave.”

The Knights play Imperial Valley on Friday, Feb. 23 at 7. The women’s game follows the men’s, which starts at 5 p.m., and both teams will honor their sophomores at halftime.

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