East L.A. ends Palomar's 33-game home winning streak with 88-86 Comet Classic Tournament title win

CCCAA Scoreboard

SAN MARCOS – The East Los Angeles College women's basketball team defeated Palomar College 88-86 to win the championship of the Palomar College Comet Classic in front of a rambunctious crowd.

In winning its 16th tournament title in the last six years, ELAC ended Palomar's three-year home winning streak that covered 33 games. The Comets last home loss was 58-49 to Long Beach City on Jan. 2, 2016. ELAC and Palomar began a recent series and each game has been a nail-biter. ELAC holds a 3-1 edge.

The CCCWBCA South Region Preseason Poll's No. 8-ranked East Los Angeles College improves to 8-1 overall and handed No. 5 Palomar (6-1) its first loss of the season.  

ELAC guard Jennifer Pool (Legacy HS) was named the tournament MVP. Two other ELAC guards were also named to the all-tourney team, Jaelynn Curley (AZ / Ganado HS) and Dominique Godbolt (Fairfax HS). Other all-tourney team recipients include Palomar guards Lily Crabtree and Imari Cooley, West Los Angeles College guard Daija Black and Riverside City College forward Dayna DeWitt.

The first quarter in the title game included eight lead changes and two ties. Pool made a layup at the first quarter buzzer and ELAC led 27-26. It was a lead the Lady Huskies would not relinquish. ELAC led 49-42 at the half and 72-59 after three quarters. Palomar had a fierce rally in the final period outscoring ELAC 27-16 but missed a 3-point jump shot as time expired.

PAW TRACKS
MVP Pool led ELAC tonight with 21 points, had tournament totals including 20 assists and 16 steals. Pool averages 4.7 steals per game, sixth best in the state and 4.7 assists per game. Pool had a double double in ELAC's 79-71 win over Riverside with 10 points scored and 10 assists.

Curley's tournament totals include 42 points, 13 three-point shots and 12 assists. Curley averages 2.7 treys per game from 7.9 attempts, 13th best in the state. Godbolt's tournament totals included two double doubles, 45 points and 32 rebounds.

Riverside defeated Grossmont College 77-49 in the third-place game and earlier today West L.A. collected a 64-37 win against Santa Monica College for the consolation title.

Follow ELAC Athletics at http://athletics.elac.edu/landing/index or on Facebook at ELAC Huskies Athletics (@elachuskiesathletics).  

(Tadzio Garcia, East L.A. Athletics)