SKYLINE WOMEN ADVANCE TO REGIONAL FINAL AT STATE NO. 1 DELTA SAT.

Lala Lautaimi scored 27 points and Malia Latu had 25 as Skyline College scored a 70-59 state regional semIfinal women's basketball victory over visiting Laney College Thursday night. The Lady Trojans (22-5) play at state No. 1 San Joaquin Delta (27-2) Saturday at 7 p.m. for a spot in the California Community College Athletic Association elite eight at West Hills College Lemoore, March 10-13. Skyline was No. 14 in the final regular season state poll. No. 20 Laney finished 22-6.

Aragon High grad Lautaimi also had 15 rebounds and Latu had 16. The pair, with 52 points and 31 rebounds, nearly equaled the Eagles totals of 59 points and 33 rebounds. Skyline had a 69-33 board advantage, complemented by 13 rebounds from Nicole Brunicardi (Burlingame High). Latu, a 5-8 freshman out of Menlo-Atherton High, added five assists, four steals, and two blocks.

Skyline jumped to a 15-10 first quarter advantage and led, 34-28, at halftime. The Trojans put it away with a 24-15 final period advantage. 

Skyline, the Coast North Conference runners-up, will face the Big 8 Conference champions in Delta, the state's winningest team. The two teams scrimmaged in October, so have some familiarity. The Mustangs were unbeaten in non-league play.

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Contact: Fred Baer, SMCCCD Sports Information, baerf@smccd.edu