Orange Coast Falls in Tournament Final to San Diego Mesa

Orange Coast got the ball to the right player--sophomore Jennifer Ludwicki--but didn’t get the expected result in a 63-61 loss Sunday to San Diego Mesa in the title game of the Coast Christmas Classic.

Ludwicki, who has been OCC’s leading scorer in all 14 games this season, turned the ball over with the Pirates down by a point with 13 seconds left. She then missed about a 12-footer to tie while well defended in the closing seconds.

“We rely so much on Ludwicki and she didn’t have a good game,” OCC Coach Mike Thornton said. “We needed someone else to step up.” The loss ended OCC’s 10-game winning streak.

Ludwicki finished with 13 points, but was four of 17 from the field. Becky Loshak also had 13 and center Natalie Weeks scored 11 but was five of 14 from the field. Orange Coast shot 33% (23 of 69) from the field.

Adria Sortine finished with 11, including back-to-back three-pointers that helped OCC (11-3) cut into San Diego Mesa’s 10-point lead with about eight minutes left.

Loshak made a shot near the basket to put OCC ahead, 61-59, with 2 minutes 29 seconds left, but the Pirates didn’t score again. Loshak got an assist from Ludwicki, who had an assist on each of OCC’s final three baskets.

Rebecca Clayton had 21 points and Antoinette Cocco 18 for San Diego Mesa (12-3).

In the consolation championship:

Fullerton 83, Southwestern 71--Angie Baca, who made the all-tournament team, scored a game-high 26 points. She was nine of 17 from the field, including making three of seven three-pointers.