Last-Minute Defense, Plus Rich’s Field Goal Lead Christ College Irvine

Lauren Rich’s field goal with 1:14 remaining and good defense helped Christ College Irvine defeat Fresno Pacific, 70-69, in a Golden State Athletic Conference women’s basketball game at Christ College Irvine.

With 13 seconds left, Rich (16 points) was fouled and her free throw attempt ricocheted off the rim and into the hands of a Fresno Pacific player.

The Lady Eagles’ man-to-man defense prevented Fresno Pacific from attempting a game-winning shot before the buzzer.

“We were trying to get the five-second count (on the last play),” said Christ College Irvine Coach Kent Schlichtemeier.

“Our three-quarter-court pressure defense made Fresno Pacific work to get the ball up the court. We relied on our man-to-man and good rebounding (37 for the Lady Eagles, 24 for the Lady Sunbirds), that’s what happened down the stretch.”

Christ College Irvine (22-4, 7-2 in conference) is in a three-way tie for first place with Fresno Pacific and Point Loma Nazarene. The Lady Eagles finish their regular season tonight (5:30) at Azusa Pacific.

Other leaders for CCI were Gitte Mejer (16 points, 13 rebounds); Stacy Kirch (15 points, nine rebounds), and Nancy Geisler (15 points).