(Livermore, CA) The Mt. SAC Women's Basketball team (33-1) advanced to the CCCAA State Championship game by defeating the Fresno City Rams, 75-66 on Friday night. This will be the 5th straight trip to the title game for the Mounties, who came into the tournament as the south number 1 seed and states number 1 ranked team.

The Mounties were led by Jonnae Vermillion with a team high 18 points and 10 boards. The offense was spread amongst several other players including Caira Benton, 17 points and team high 12 rebounds, Tahniya Sweatt with 13 points, Gina Henderson with 12 and Alize' Lofton, who finished with 11.

Mounties led early, taking a 22-13 first quarter lead. They extended that at halftime by a score of 39-25 and looked to be cruising to the championship game. However, a late 4th quarter run by Fresno cut the lead to 1, 64-63, with 3:42 left in the game. The Mounties answered with defensive stops and timely baskets and free throws, to advance to Sunday's championship game at 1 pm.

The Mounties will face a familiar foe in South Coast Conference North Division team, East Los Angeles College. The Huskies held on to beat the north number 1 seed, San Francisco City, by a score of 51-47. This will be only the second time that two South Coast Conference opponents face off in the title game. The first occured in 2004, when Mt. SAC defeated Pasadena City for its first championship. 

Mt. SAC beat the Huskies twice during conference but will look to be prepared for a chance at a seventh state title.

To watch all the action follow the webstream link at cccaasports.org

For more information contact Mt. SAC Sports Information at 909-274-4630. Follow the team on Twitter @mtsac_athletics

Go Mounties!