The Santa Monica College womens’ basketball team lost its opening game of the Western State Conference season last Wednesday night as visiting West Los Angeles College emerged with a 72-64 victory.
Forward Ashleigh Osborne was SMC’s high scorer with 24 points. Center Jasmine English had 11.
SMC started fast, taking a 17-6 lead. But West L.A. tied the game, 23-23.
SMC was ahead at halftime, 37-29. The game was tied again at 45, but then West L.A. moved ahead, 61-51, the surge capped on a basket by Miriam Ahmadi, a freshman from Venice High.
SMC then rallied as Coach Lydia Strong brought freshman center Fabienne Lorenz, from Zurich, Switzerland, off the bench. The idea was to free up English to guard Shannon Clay, West L.A.’s best player. It worked briefly, but West L.A. then regained control.
SMC’s record is 9-12. The team had a bye Saturday and awaits its next home game January 18 against Canyons at 5:30 p.m.
SMC won the consolation bracket championshiip in the Fullerton College Invitational Tournament in December. In the final game SMC defeated College of San Mateo, 81-80 in overtime.
Previously, SMC took third place in the Moorpark College Tournament, winning back-to-back overtime games. SMC outlasted Antelope Valley in overtime 74-71, then defeated host Moorpark 75-74 in double overtime.
English was named all-tournament at Fullerton and Osborne was all-tournament at the Moorpark and L.A. Southwest tournaments.
English is a freshman from Palisades High.