COD (3-14; 0-3) took a lead in the first quarter, but a seven minute scoring drought to wrap up the first half really put the Roadrunners in a tough spot as they fell to the Barstow Vikings (2-12; 1-1), 62-56.

The first quarter went well for the Roadrunners, taking a 16-15 lead, but then with 7:13 left in the first half, freshman guard Trista Smith (Indio Shadow Hills) took a pass from freshman starting guard Erika Barrera (Thermal Desert Mirage), running the length of the court and made a layup. All of a sudden, the Desert offense seized up, and while six free throws were converted during the scoring drought, no one could hit a shot from the field. At the break, Barstow had a 35-26 lead.

The second half began promising as, freshman starting center Anastasia Reagins (Palm Springs H.S.) opened up the new half with a nice layup and Desert would win the fourth quarter 18-13, but the deficit from the 2nd quarter was too great for the Roadrunners to overcome.

Reagins grabbed her 10th double-double of the season, scoring 20 points on 8 of 18 shooting and snagging 16 total rebounds, nine of those were defensive boards. In addition, Reagins held her own "Block Party" as she led the game with six blocks moving her into the top five, statewide in total blocks, with 51 and top three in "blocks per game average" with 3.4.

Freshman starting guard Annabelle Amador (Indio Shadow Hills) added 13 points, on 5 of 15 shooting, going 2 for 7 from beyond three-point range and freshman starting guard Geraldine Padua (Indio Shadow Hills) contributed 10 points on 3 of 18 shooting, leading the team in steals with six and dishing out four assists on the afternoon.

Sophomore starting guard Marisa Givens (Palm Desert H.S.) was impressive from the free throw line, shooting 6 for 9, grabbing nine boards and handing out four assists.

Freshman guard Miranda Kelly (La Quinta H.S) led the team with five assists and Smith was the leading scorer off of the bench with four points.

The next game for Desert is on Wednesday, January 15 at 5p at the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles in an Inland Empire Athletic Conference match. The next home game for the Roadrunners is on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 20, where Desert will continue Inland Empire Athletic Conference play by hosting the Chaffey Panthers of Rancho Cucamonga at 1p.

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

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).