Philip George, Spring 2009 Assistant Sports Editor
After blowing out Barstow College, 82-44, at last weekend’s Cuesta Tournament, the Brahmas fought a much tighter battle in Tuesday’s game at the South Gym, defeating the Vikings by a score of 69-59.
“We’re lucky to get out of this game alive,” said Jim Couch, Pierce College head coach. “We should beat them by 20 or 30.”
Barstow guard Mechel’ La Logan explained that the Vikings’ plan of action Tuesday was to contain Pierce’s Tessondra Williams, Bridget Jenkins and Kim Rodriguez, the Brahmas top three performers when the two hooked up at Cuesta. Left out of the equation, however, was sophomore center Tiara Richardson, who made Barstow pay.
Richardson racked up 29 points on the night to lead Pierce to the 10-point lead, but was noticeably bothered by eye trouble throughout the game-at one point having to remove herself from play midway through the first half. As it turned out, she was playing virtually blind in one eye.
“I lost one of my contacts because one of the girls elbowed me in the head,” she said. “I was playing kind of distorted the whole game, so it was kind of surprising that I made my shots. I could barely see.”
“She might have had 40 tonight,” quipped Couch.
One eye or two, the Brahmas’ center battered Barstow with a barrage of jumpers around the free-throw line, contrary to the post pattern expected by the Vikings.
“I figure if I do something different, they can’t guard it-something other than what they expect,” said Richardson.
According to Logan, her strategy paid off.
“We were giving her that shot because we didn’t think she would make it,” she said. “I guess she proved us wrong.”
Logan, a freshman, had herself has a night to remember despite the losing effort, posting 32 points, her highest total as a Viking, including Barstow’s only 12 points in the first 11:27 of the game.
“I was cutting through the middle a lot,” she said. “I was seeing the open spaces and taking them, and when they were, I was making sure to pick up the foul.”
Barstow College gaurd Nadia Hamdan lunges after Pierce gaurd Essence Nixon at the Pierce South Gym on Dec.9 . Nixon was knocked to the floor. ()
Pierce College center Tiara Richardson makes a lay up against Barstow College at the Pierce South Gym on Dec.10. Pierce won, 69-59. ()