Solano clinches conference title

The Solano College women's basketball team clinched the Bay Valley Conference outright on Wednesday after downing College of Marin, 78-61, at home.

"This is the product of a lot of hard work," Solano head coach Matt Borchert said." They are well deserving."

After four straight conference titles, Solano didn't make the playoffs for two seasons. The Falcons won their fifth conference title in seven seasons and 11th overall, the most in the history of the conference.

Solano led by seven at halftime against Marin, then left little doubt in the second half, extending its lead to 20 or more points in stretches.

"We played much better defense in the second half," Borchert said.

St. Patrick-St. Vincent High graduate Taylor Hamilton missed the game with injury, but her backcourt mates more than made up for it.

Denisha Lundy led the way with 23 points, four rebounds and four steals. Benicia High graduate Nikki Andaya had 10 points, three assists and three steals.

"(Nikki) Andaya has been a huge recruit for us," Borchert said. "She's been fantastic as a third guard and it gives us a three-headed monster with (Denisha) Lundy and Taylor Hamilton." 

Justice Robinson finished with 21 points and five rebounds and Laura Lawson scored eight points with nine rebounds. Ariel Clay also missed the game with injury.

Solano wraps up the season against Merritt College on Friday then takes on Contra Costa on Feb. 21. Borchert said winning both games will be critical when it comes to seeding for the Northern California State Pllayoffs, which start on Feb. 24. 

"Losing one or both of those games could mean the difference between a lower or higher seed," Borchert said.

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/sports/ci_25130613/solano-college-womens-basketball-team-clinches-conference-title