COD Women’s Basketball Grabs Two Wins at Knights Invitational, Moves to 5–5

The College of the Desert Women's Basketball team (5–5) hit the road for a two-and-a-half-hour trip to San Diego City College over the weekend, returning from the Knights Invitational with two victories in three games. COD faced the San Diego City Knights, Southwestern Jaguars, and Imperial Valley Desert Warriors in the three-day tournament.

The Roadrunners would tip off the tournament with a win against the host San Diego City Knights (2-3), with a score of 68-56. Sophomore starting guard Giovanna Espinoza (La Quinta H.S.) led the charge with 22 points, on 8 of 17 shooting from the field, going 2 for 7 from three-point range. Sophomore starting guard Audrey Tijerina (La Quinta H.S.) would score 16 points, on 6 of 15 shooting. Sophomore starting forward Olivia Castaneda (Menifee Paloma Valley) led the team with 7 rebounds, all defensive, plus 5 assists, and would contribute 10 points, shooting 5 for 10 from the field. Freshman starting guard Ava Tethal (Palm Desert H.S.) led the team with a block, and would contribute 6 boards and dishing out 4 assists. Freshman forward Mia Aceituno (Bermuda Dunes Desert Christian Academy) would add an additional 8 points and 4 steals.

On day two of the Knights Invitational, the Roadrunners would come away with their only loss of the tournament, losing to the Southwestern Jaguars with a score of 88-75. Off the bench, Tijerina would lead the team with a season high 18 points, shooting 6 for 12 from the field, going 4 for 6 beyond the arc. Aceituno would add 17 points, shooting 6 for 12 from the field. Tethal grabbed her second double-double of the season, leading the team with 10 rebounds, 8 defensive, along with 4 steals, and she would also contribute 10 points. Castaneda led the team with 5 assists, and Espinoza would shoot 4 for 10 from the field, scoring 13 points for the team.

Day three of the Knights Invitational would have the Roadrunners come away with their second win, beating the Imperial Valley Desert Warriors with a blowout score of 92-52. Tethal would lead the team with 27 points, on 10 of 15 shooting from the field, going 7 for 12 from three-point range, chipping in an additional 8 rebounds. Espinoza would lead the team with 6 steals, shooting 15 points going 6 for 12 from the field. Castaneda would lead the team with 10 rebounds, 9 defensive, along with 6 assists. Aceituno would grab 14 points for the team, shooting 5 for 12 from the field. Tijerina would add an additional 13 points to the score, shooting 4 for 10 from the field.

Riding momentum from a strong showing at the Knights Invitational, the Roadrunners return to action on the road as they face Imperial Valley once again on December 3 at 5p.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information provided by COD Sports Information. Story by Jacob Humphries. Photo by Kaleb Welch Photography.