COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Sullivan Responds in Clutch for Golden West

VAN NUYS —  Center Jennifer Sullivan made two free throws to send the game into overtime, then scored seven points in the extra period to lead Golden West to a 70-65 victory over San Mateo in the quarterfinals of the Community College Women’s State Basketball Tournament Thursday night at Valley College.

Defending state champion Golden West (33-1) went into overtime for the second consecutive game when Sullivan made two free throws to tie the score at 61 with 21 seconds to play.

San Mateo (31-3), seeded fourth among North teams, led by eight points with 6 minutes 15 seconds remaining, but Golden West scored eight consecutive points to tie it at 59.

Golden West point guard Bits Sirchia said her team was cool down the stretch, “just because we feel we’re in better condition than most teams. If games last longer, we’re more capable of winning.”

Golden West, top-seeded among South teams, trailed by as many as nine points in the second half but gradually extended and increased its defensive pressure.

The pressure was particularly effective on San Mateo point guard Jacklyn O’Connor. She scored a team-high 19 points but had only two in the final 14 1/2 minutes of play.

With San Mateo center Angel Mahan deep in foul trouble--she fouled out with 1:10 left in regulation--Sullivan went to work, scoring the first of her 15 points at the 6:36 mark in the second half.

“In crunch time, she came through,” Golden West Coach Dave Stricklin said.

Sirchia scored Golden West’s first eight points of the second half and finished with 20 points and seven assists.

Dawn Haag added 10 and Jennifer Harney scored 10 for Golden West, which will play Sequoias tonight at 6 in the semifinals. Golden West beat Sequoias last season for the state championship, but Sequoias is the only team to defeat the Rustlers this season.