(Walnut, CA) A season-high 24 points and 12 rebounds by Mt. SAC freshman guard Kamesha Moore led the Mounties to a resounding, 77-57, South Coast Conference win over Rio Hondo.

Moore also was perfect at the line (7-7), made 8 of 12 field goals, including a 3-pointer and had two steals.

"We just played team basketball (Friday) and picked it up in the third quarter," said Moore, of their big 27-point quarter to take a big lead in the game. "We were kind of sloppy in the first half and had to pick it up.

"We had a lot of depth on our bench and have each other's backs and just play Mt. SAC basketball."

With the win, the Mounties improved to 16-3 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Rio Hondo fell to 7-12 and 0-2.

Mt. SAC, which is currently ranked seventh in the state and second in the South Region in CCCWBCA polls, also has the second-most wins in the state.

It was a tale of two halves for the Mounties as they trailed, 24-21, at the break, but came alive in the third and fourth quarters with a total of 56 points, while Rio Hondo only scored 33.

"It was a lot of one-on-one basketball in the first half and we weren't sharing the ball and making extra passes," Mt. SAC Basketball coach Brian Crichlow said. "When we play team-oriented basketball and play together and everybody shares the ball, then we're really good. Our shot selection was really good too."

Crichlow talked about his deep bench, which scored nearly a season-high 51 points against the Roadrunners.

"We have enough talent where somebody can get hot on any given day, and (Friday) it was Kamesha (Moore)," said Crichlow, of the 5'6" guard from Pasadena High School.

"She just stands committed to what she does. A lot of it starts on defense. She did a great job on defense and got her hands in the passing lanes, got some steals and she is quick as a button."

The second-half surge by the Mounties started as the third quarter began. Trailing, 24-21, the Mounties went on a 12-3 run and never looked back.

Moore, who came off the bench in the first quarter and had only a basket, scored nine points in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth to lead the come-from-behind win.

The fourth quarter also saw another big run which put the Roadrunners away. They started the quarter with a 12-5 run, to lead 60-46, and finished the game outscoring Rio, 17-9.

Three other Mounties scored in double figures in the game – Savanna Norfleet (2-3 FTM-A, 3 Stls), 12 points, Nikki Thompson (3-6 FGM-A, 5-7 FTM-A, 7 RB, 3 Stls., 2 Blks), 11 points and 10 points each from Allyah Cartajena (2-2 FTM-A, 6 RB, 2 A, 1 Stl., 1 Blk) and Jamya Mickens (5-8 FGM-A, 5 RB, 2 Stls.).

The Mounties, nearly doubling the output over the Roadrunners, had their third biggest rebounding game of the season with the 52 boards.

"At half time we knew we had to share the ball more," said Norfleet, of the first half. "We talked about moving the ball more, getting it going and fast break. We're best in transition, I think.

"It's really important (bench points) this time of year with playoffs coming because we had to have our whole team involved. Our bench comes in really good for us all the time."

The Mounties now hit the road for five road games over the next three weeks, before returning home on Feb. 11 against L.A. Trade Tech.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.