Knights hold off Griffins’ upset bid

ECS staff report

EL CAJON —- The Grossmont College women’s basketball team rallied from a 7-point deficit to eventually pull even with visiting San Diego City College in the final minute, but the Knights avoided the upset on a short jump shot by Gianna Spatafore with 15 seconds remaining to escape the G-House with a 64-62 triumph.

The Griffins answered with a 3-point shot with the clock winding down, but the miss was collected on a rebound by City’s Vean Gorgees at the buzzer of the frantic Pacific Coast Athletic Conference ballgame.

Sarah Henry paced SDCC (8-14 overall, 4-4 PCAC) with 19 points, going 6-for-6 from the foul line. Spatafore came off the bench to finish with 6 points, including the game-winner.

The Griffins (4-17, 1-8 PCAC) were down at the half, 36-23, then trimmed the margin to 50-43, through the third quarter.

The rally continued entering the fourth period on a pair of baskets from off the bench by Lilian Akintonde. She joined teammate Elisabeth Beesley with 8 points each over the final 10 minutes.

Beasley led Grossmont with 19 points, while “L.A.” buried 8-of-11 shots from the floor for a career-high 16 points to double her previous best.

Next week, because of re-scheduling in COVID-19 make-up games, Grossmont will now play a home-and-home series with district rival Cuyamaca, Should the Griffins sweep, they will extend the Coyotes’ losing streak to an unofficial state record.

Cuyamaca’s contest with Southwestern from Friday went unreported. leaving the Coyotes (019) with 54 straight setbacks.