Palomar College Women's Basketball

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Women's Basketball

Mission Conference Champions 1978-79

PCAC Champions 1984-85, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13

Undefeated Conference Seasons 1984-85, 2007-08, 2008-09

2012-13 Schedule/Results | 2012-13 Roster | Coaching Staff

2012-13 PCAC Champions

(PHOTO BY HUGH COX)

Season ends two wins short of State Final Four

MOORPARK (3-06-2013) -- After winning the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship and its first two Southern California Regional playoff games, Palomar saw its women's basketball season come to an end two wins short of a trip to the CCCAA State Final Four on Wednesday night.

Moorpark ended the Comets' season at 18-11, winning 68-60 in the third round of the regionals.

Maureen Fegan (left) led coach Leigh Marshall's squad with 17 points. Ashley Witherspoon scored 14 points. Bianca Littleton and Mikaela Stanton added 10 points each.

The Raiders led at the half 30-26.

PC stuns No. 2 seed Ventura in a classic upset

VENTURA (3-02-2013) -- Coach Leigh Marshall's Palomar squad became the college's first women's basketball team ever to advance to within two wins of the state Final Four on Saturday, stunning Southern California Regionals No. 2 seed Ventura 59-58 on the road.

The Pirates came into the game with a 27-3 record.

Maureen Fegan (left) scored 17 points to lead the Comets and was joined in double figures by Melanie Lombardi (14 points) and Bianca Littleton (right, 11 points, 13 rebounds). Ashley Witherspoon dished off five assists.

Palomar led 35-29 at the half, fell behind in the second half and the teams traded the lead back and forth until Littleton dropped in two free throws with 1 minute, 19 seconds to play to put the Comets on top by the final one-point margin.

Palomar (18-10) got the ball back and had an opportunity to extend its lead with 21 seconds left but missed a jump shot. Ventura missed two late shots and the ball went out of bounds after a missed jumper by Cynthia Hernandez with three seconds to play.

Palomar will play at Moorpark, a 48-41 winner over Cypress, in the third round at 7 p.m. Wednesday. A victory would put the Comets within one game of the Final Four at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento on March 16-17.

Comets go on 18-0 run, win 87-73 in 1st round

SAN MARCOS (2-27-2013) -- Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year Alliya Pinckney, playing with four fouls over the game's final 18 minutes, 9 seconds, took the game over in the second half on Wednesday night at The Dome.

Palomar roared back from a 16-point deficit to down Saddleback 87-73 in the first round of the Southern California Community College playoffs.

Pinckney scored 12 points in a 3:05 span and coach Leigh Marshall's PCAC champions tallied 18 unanswered points during a 30-4 run over eight minutes as they left the tiring Gauchos in a state of collapse.

The Comets (17-10) put six players in double figures in advancing to a 7:30 p.m. game Saturday at No. 2 Southern California seed Ventura (27-3).

Pinckney scored 18 points, 15 in the second half. Maureen Fegan tallied 17 points, Melanie Lombardi 14, Bianca Littleton 13, Ashley Witherspoon 11 and Mikaela Stanton 11.

The Comets, down 46-33 at halftime, blew out the Gauchos in the second half 56-27.

It was Palomar's first playoff win since the Comets took home a first-round victory in the 2007-2008 season, the next-to-last for coach Sheri Jennum. They lost in the second round to Pasadena City College and in the first-round the following season, Jennum's last, to San Bernardino Valley.

The Comets did not lose at The Dome all season.

PHOTOS: Left: Alliya Pinckney, who took over the game in the second half after picking up her fourth foul. Right: Ashley Witherspoon heads to the bucket to score on a lay-up after a steal midway through the first half. -- Photo by Hugh Cox.

PC home on Wed.; Pinckney, Marshall honored

SAN MARCOS (2-25-2013) -- Palomar will host Saddleback in the first round of the Southern California community college playoffs on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Dome, after the Comets swept top honors on the All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference team selected over the weekend by conference coaches.

Alliya Pinckney (right) was selected as conference Player of the Year. Leigh Marshall (left, photo by Hugh Cox) was named PCAC Coach of the Year.

Comets Bianca LIttleton, Ashley Witherspoon and Maureen Fegan joined Pinckney on first team in balloting by conference coaches. Pinckney is a Mt. Carmel High School product. Littleton is from Vista High, Witherspoon from Mission Hills and Fegan from Rancho Buena Vista.

If Palomar wins on Wednesday, the Comets will play at No. 2 seed Ventura, which is 27-3, in the second round at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Comets blast rival MiraCosta, win conference

SAN MARCOS (2-22-2013) -- Two years after going 0-21 when coach Leigh Marshall was hired three weeks after classes started with zero players in the program, Palomar won the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball championship outright before a loud, appreciative crowd at The Dome on Friday evening.

The Comets, leading by four points at the half, went on runs of 9-0 and 10-0 in the second half and hammered North County rival MiraCosta at the Dome 61-49 to win the conference title by one game over Southwestern. The Jaguars, who ended their regular season on Wednesday, would have tied for the title if Palomar would have lost.

Bianca Littleton (14 points) and Mikaela Stanton 12 points) led the Comets, who advanced to 16-10 going into the Southern California community college playoffs which begin Wednesday. Palomar finished conference play with a 9-3 record.

Ashley Witherspoon and Melanie Lombardi each tallied nine points.

It's the sixth conference title in Palomar history, one in the old Mission Conference and five in the Pacific Coast Conference / Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. It's the Comets' first championship since the 2009-10 season.

PHOTOS: Left: Ashley Witherspoon scores for the Comets. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. Right: Mikaela Stanton

Fegan honored as PCAC Athlete of the Week

SAN DIEGO (2-18-2013) -- Palomar basketball player Maureen Fegan, who played a key role as the Comets clinched at least a tie for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship last week, has been selected as the conference's Women's Athlete of the Week.

Fegan (No. 44, photo by Hugh Cox), a 5-foot-8 freshman guard from Rancho Buena Vista High School, scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 54-50 victory over Imperial Valley on the road and came back with 15 points as PC clinched the title tie with an 86-68 win over Grossmont.

Palomar leads the second-place team, Southwestern, by one game with one to play.

PC runs past Griffs, clinches at least a title tie

SAN MARCOS (2-15-2013) -- Palomar clinched at least a tie for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball championship on Friday night at home, downing Grossmont 86-68 in the second game of the 2013 "Coaches vs. Cancer" double-header.

The Comets clinched the title tie when San Diego Mesa upset previous co-leader Southwestern 60-57. Palomar can win the conference outright with a win over MiraCosta next Friday at home. The Jaguars' only chance to tie the Comets for first place is to defeat Grossmont on the road in their final conference game on Wednesday -- and for Palomar to lose to MC.

For the Comets, Mikaela Stanton and Bianca Littleton each scored 16 points. Maureen Fegan tallied 15 points. Alliya Pinckney and Ashley Witherspoon each had 11.

PHOTO: Ashley Witherspoon controls the basketball in Comets' victory over Grossmont. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Comets top IVC back into tie for 1st place again

IMPERIAL (2-13-2013) -- Palomar put four players in double figures, led by Maureen Fegan (left) with 20 points, as the Comets beat Imperial Valley 54-50 on the road on Wednesday evening.

Along with Southwestern's 65-39 rout of San Diego City College, the victory boosted Palomar (13-10, 6-3 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference) back into a first-place tie with the Jaguars.

Alliya Pickney tallied 13 points for the Comets and passed off for six assists. Bianca Littleton had 10 points and nine rebounds. Ashley Witherspoon also scored 10 points.

Palomar made a 21-18 lead at the half stand up.

Palomar put 5 in double figures, race past City

SAN MARCOS (2-08-2013) -- San Diego City College had the leading scorer on the floor, Diana Leasau with 25 points, but the Comets raced past the Knights 97-80 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference game at The Dome on Friday evening.

The Comets put five players in double figures along the way -- Melanie Lombardi (right, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), Alliya Pickney (16 points,5 assists), Maureen Fegan (14 points, 5 steals), Bianca Littleton (14 points) and Mikaela Stanton (12 points).

Palomar led at the half 47-36.

PC, out-rebounded, loses 1st-place showdown

CHULA VISTA (2-06-2013) -- Palomar, tied for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball lead with Southwestern going into the game, dropped a 59-57 decision to the Jaguars on Wednesday evening

The Comets now trail the Jaguars by a game.

Maureen Fegan scored 18 points for the Comets, Melanie Lombardi (left) 15 and Bianca Littleton 13.

Palomar is 11-10, 5-3 in conference.

Pinckney, Littleton lead PC back into tie for 1st

SAN MARCOS (2-01-2013) -- Alyssa Pinckney (left) scored 16 points, all in the first half, as Palomar regained a tie for the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball lead Friday evening at the Dome with a 60-37 victory over San Diego Mesa.

Bianca Littleton (13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal) and Ashley Witherspoon (11 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block) also scored in double figures for the Comets (12-9, 5-2).

Pinckney also had 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal. Melanie Lombardi added nine points.

The Comets moved back into a tie for first place with Southwestern, which was upset by Imperial Valley 51-49 at Imperial.

Palomar led 36-17 at the half.

PC upset 59-58 by MiraCosta, falls out of 1st

OCEANSIDE (1-30-2013) -- Palomar was upset by MiraCosta College 59-58 in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball game on Wednesday evening and dropped out of a virtual tie with Southwestern for first place.

Maureen Fegan (left) led the Comets with 13 points. Mikaela Stanton scored 11. Angelina Hix had 19 points for MiraCosta.

Palomar self-destructed with 30 plus turnovers.

The Comets, who were tied with Southwestern for first place in the loss column going into the game, dropped into a second-place tie with San Diego City College.

The Jaguars, who had a bye on Wednesday, remain 5-1 in the conference. City College, a 58-54 winner over Grossmont, is 5-2. The Comets fall to 4-2.

Palomar is 11-9 on the season.

Grossmont hands Comets 1st conference loss

EL CAJON (12-23-2013) -- Palomar, which came into the game 4-0 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference and alone in first place, suffered its first PCAC loss on Wednesday evening as the Comets fell to Grossmont 59-55.

It was a complete turnaround from Dec. 2, when the Comets won the first meeting of the two teams 76-46 in the Lady Charger Classic at Cypress College.

Melanie Lombardi (left) led Palomar (11-8 overall) with 14 points. Maureen Fegan (right) and Shaila Williams each had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Bianca Littleton contributed 7 rebounds and 6 steals, and Ashley Witherspoon had 5 assists.

Jonalynn Fuertes led Grossmont with 16 points.

Stanton, Comets beat IVC to lead PCC at 4-0

SAN MARCOS (1-18-2013) -- Mikaela Stanton drained five 3-pointers and scored 17 points Friday night at the Dome as Palomar's women's basketball team advanced to 4-0 to begin Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play with a 72-50 win over Imperial Valley.

The Comets (11-7 overall) streaked to a 37-18 halftime lead as Alliya Pinckney scored all seven of her points in the game and Stanton hit three 3-pointers.

In the second half, Ashley Witherspoon scored all eight of her points and Stanton tacked on eight more points, including two additional 3-point buckets.

Coach Leigh Marshall's first-place Comets will visit Grossmont on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

PHOTOS: LEFT: Alliya Pinckney goes airborne to take the ball to the basket in the second half on Friday evening at The Dome. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. RIGHT: Mikaela Stanton, who had five 3-pointers for the Comets

ABOVE: Bianca Littleton puts the nail in San Diego City's coffin for the Cometes as she rebounds a shot by the Knights with 32.7 seconds remaining in the game. BELOW LEFT: Littleton rebounds her own missed shot for Palomar with 2:07 left nd the Comets up by one point. She was fouled on the put-back and made both free throws to put Palomar up by 78-75. -- Photo by Hugh Cox.

Comets rally to beat Knights, are alone in first

SAN DIEGO (1-16-2013) -- Palomar won a showdown of the two remaining unbeaten Pacific Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball teams at Harry West Gymnasium on Wednesday night, defeating San Diego City College 80-77.

The victory puts coach Leigh Marshall's Comets alone atop the conference with a 3-0 record.

Alliya Pinckney led Palomar with 23 points, eight assists and eight rebounds.

Shalia Williams scored 16 points and added eight rebounds. Bianca Littleton had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Maureen Fegan contributed 12 points and three steals. And Ashley Witherspoon added eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Comets fell behind by 10 points early, were down 44-40 at the half and trailed by 14 points with 14:33 left in the game 58-44.

They battled back, chipped away at the Knights' lead and finally went on top with 4:02 left on Pinckney's 3-point shot. It was Palomar's first lead of the game, and the Comets led the remainder of the game.

The Comets are 10-7 on the season and will return home to host Imperial Valley at The Dome on Friday at 5 p.m.

PHOTO: Bianca Littleton rebounds her own missed shot for Palomar with 2:07 left in the game and the Comets up by one point. She was fouled on the put-back and made both free throws to put Palomar up by 78-75. -- Photo by Hugh Cox.

Palomar's Pinckney is Athlete of Week pick

SAN DIEGO (12-15-2013) -- Palomar basketball player Alliya Pinckey has been selected as Pacific Coast Conference Women's Athlete of the Week for the week that ended on Sunday.

Pinckney, a sophomore guard from Mt. Carmel High School, scored 20 points as the Comets handed Southwestern its first conference loss 79-68 last Friday evening at The Dome.

Two nights earlier, Pinckey tallied 10 points and played what coach Leigh Marshall called "great" defense iln the Comets' 60-27 win over defending PCAC champion San Diego Mesa.

ABOVE: Gabby Cabrera hauls down a rebound in traffic in Comets' 79-68 victory over Southwestern. BELOW LEFT: Alliya Pinckney, who scored 20 points, takes off to the bucket. She was fouled on the shot attempt and converted one of two free throws. BELOW RIGHT: Mikaela Stanton, who three straight 3-pointers to blow the game open midway through the second half. She was fouled on the shot attempt and converted one of two free throws -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Pickney (20) and Comets off to 2-0 PCAC start

SAN MARCOS (1-11-2013) -- Palomar, which was 0-21 two seasons ago when it had no returning players and coach Leigh Marshall was hired after classes had already started, finds itself 2-0 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference and downing Southwestern 79-68 on Friday evening at The Dome.

Alliya Pinckney scored 20 points, Bianca Littleton 18, Mikaela Stanton 12 and Shalia Williams 11 as the Comets (9-7 overall) fell behind the Jaguars (1-1 in conference) early, battled back to lead 32-30 at the half, fell behind again and drew away over the last 13 minutes.

Stanton drained four 3-pointers, three of them in a 2-minute, 12-second period in the second half to put Palomar ahead 51-44.

Palomar travels to San Diego City College on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game.

ABOVE: Palomar's Mikaela Stanton puts in a two-handed 3-point basket in the second half of the Comets' 60-27 rout of defending champion San Diego Mesa to open conference play. BELOW: Alliya Pinckney takes the ball to the bucket. -- Photos by Hugh Cox. BELOW RIGHT: Maureen Fegan, who led Palomar with 13 points.

Comets rout defending champs by 60-27 score

SAN DIEGO (1-09-2013) -- Palomar couldn't have been more impressive on Wednesday night as the Comets rocked defending champion San Diego Mesa 60-27 in the Olympians' gym to open the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference season.

Palomar fell behind early 12-9, then outscored Mesa the rest of the way 51-15. The Comets led 17-14 at the half.

Maureen Fegan led the Comets (8-8, 1-0) with 13 points. Shalia Williams had 12 points. Alliya Pickney added 10 points and played what coach Leigh Marshall described as "great defense."

Palomar is slated to open its home conference season on Friday at 5 p.m. at The Dome against Southwestern.

The Jaguars opened conference play on Wednesday with a 59-29 victory over Imperial Valley.

Fegan comes up big but PC loses in overtime

FULLERTON (12-29-2012) -- Palomar trailed most of the way, came back to force an overtime then lost to Santa Monica 72-69 on Saturday in the third-place game at the Colleen Riley Invitational hosted by Fullerton College.

With the Comets trailing by 2 points, Maureen Fegan (left) forced the overtime when she made two free throws with 29 seconds remaining in regulation.

But the Corsairs outscored Palomar 10-7 in the OT, dropping the Comets to 7-7 going into their Pacific Coast Athletic Conference opener at defending champion San Diego Mesa on Jan. 9.

Palomar led only once, midway through the second half. Fegan hit a jumper and Shalia Williams (above right) dropped in two free throws, putting the Comets up by three 50-47 with 9:13 to play.

Fegan led Palomar with 15 points and also had five rebounds. Bianca Littleton (14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals) and Williams (13 points, 11 rebounds) also scored in double figures. Ashley Witherspoon had 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Alliya Pickney also dished off 4 assists.

Palomar falls, will play for third on Saturday

FULLERTON (12-28-2012) -- Cerritos earned the right to play defending state champion, state No. 1-ranked and unbeaten (16-0) Mt. SAC for Saturday's championship in the Colleen Riley Invitational as the Falcons held off Palomar 58-47 in a semifinal game on Friday at Fullerton College.

Bianca Littleton (left) led the Comets with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Ashley Witherspoon had 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

Palomar, trailing 27-25 at halftime, took the lead twice in the second half -- at 33-32 on Maureen Fegan's lay-up and 35-34 on a Witherspoon jumper with 10:31 left in the game.

The Comets (7-6) will play Santa Monica in the third-place game at 2 p.m. Mt. SAC, which plays Cerritos for the tournament title at 4 p.m., defeated the Corsairs in Friday's other semifinal 71-33.

Littleton gets 16 points, 10 RB; PC wins 68-57

FULLERTON (12-27-2012) -- Freshman forward Bianca Littleton (left) scored 16 points and also had 10 rebounds and three steals on Thursday night, leading Palomar to a 68-57 win over host Fullerton to begin the Colleen Riley Invitational.

The Comets will play Cerritos, a 64-46 winner over Contra Costa, in a semifinal game on Friday at 6 p.m. The winner will face either unbeaten and state No. 1-ranked Mt. SAC, which defeated No. 16 Moorpark 60-51, or Santa Monica, a 54-44 winner over San Diego Mesa, in the finals on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Comets (7-5) fell behind the Hornets by eight points early in Thursday's feature game and were down 15-10 when they went on a 10-minute, 17-2 run to take a 27-17 lead with 4:39 left in the first half.

Maureen Fegan (7 points) and Melanie Lombardi combined for 11 of the 17 points.

Palomar led at the half 36-25.

Mikaela Stanton (above right) tallied 13 points for the Comets. Ashley Witherspoon contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists.

Fegan wound up with 9 points. Shalia Williams had 8 rebounds, Witherspoon 5. Alliya Pickney dished off 4 assists.

Fullerton fell to 2-10 on the season.

PC's 21-0 run to start 2nd half isn't enough

COSTA MESA (12-15-2012) -- Trailing 45-28 at halftime, Palomar's women's basketball team opened the second half by going on a 21-0 run to begin the second half vs. Cuesta on Saturday.

That gave coach Leigh Marshall's PC team a a 49-45 lead. But it wasn't enough as the Cougars came back to re-take the lead and defeat the Comets 72-62 in a bizarre consolation semifinal game atf the Erin Tomlinson Coast Christmas Classic at Orange Coast College.

Alliya Pickney (above) scored 15 points to lead the Comets (6-5) in the loss. Micaela Stanton (12 ponts), Melanie Lombardi (11 points) and Shalia Williams (10 points) also scored in double figures.Bianca Littleton (11 rebounds) and Ashley Witherspoon (9 rebounds) led the way as Palomar out-rebounded Cuesta 50-41. Witherspoon dished off 7 assists.

The loss eliminated the Comets from the tournament.

Gauchos top Comets to begin Coast Classic

COSTA MESA (12-14-2012) -- The Palomar women's basketball team dropped a 69-60 decision to Saddleback in the opening round of the Erin Tomlinson Coast Christmas Classic on Friday evening.

The Comets (6-4) will play Cuesta, a 75-69 loser to tournament host Orange Coast, in the consolation semifinals on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Tina Mendoza (11 points) and Biaca Littleton (10 points) scored in double figures for Palomar.

Ashley Witherspoon (above) pulled down 11 rebounds for the Comets, high for both teams. Littleton had eight rebounds, Melanie Lombardi seven rebounds. Mendoza led in steals with five.

The Gauchos advanced to 8-7 on the season.

PC rolls G-House 76-46 for consolation title

CYPRESS (12-02-2012) -- Coach Leigh Marshall's Palomar women's basketball squad dropped Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champion Grossmont in its tracks 76-46 on Sunday at Cypress College to win the consolation title at the 29th Lady Charger Classic.

Bianca Littleton (left) led the Comets past the Griffins with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Tina Mendoza scored 11 points and also had seven steals and was named to the all-tournament team. Shalia Williams had 10 rebounds, and Ashley Witherspoon dished off four assists.

Palomar (6-3) jumped out to a 41-18 lead at the half.

Comets reach consolation finals with OT win

CYPRESS (12-01-12) -- Palomar put four players in double figures to down Santa Monica 62-58 in overtime at the 29th Lady Charger Classic on Saturday and will play Grossmont, a 71-65 winner over Los Angeles Southwest, in the consolation finals on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Shalia Williams (right, with 11 points), Ashley Witherspoon (11 points), Alliya Pickney (10 points) and Bianca Littleton (10 points) led the Comets, who ran their record to 5-3.

The Comets outscored the Corsairs 9-6 in the OT after the teams tied 53-53 through regulation play.

Palomar drops its tournament opener to WLA

CYPRESS (11-30-12) -- Palomar was unable to make up a five-point halftime deficit as the Comets lost their opening game in the 29th Lady Charger Classic to West Los Angeles 55-51 at Cypress College on Friday.

The Comets (4-3) fell behind 29-24 at the half. They battled back to outscore the Oilers 27-26 in the second half but it wasn't enough.

Tina Mendoza scored 16 points to lead the Comets.

The Comets play Santa Monica College, a 68-55 loser to East Los Angeles, in the consolation semifinals on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Palomar loses 15-point second-half lead, game

VAN NUYS (11-20-2012) -- Leading by 15 points in the second half, the Palomar women's basketball team couldn't hold on as the Comets dropped a 72-63 non-conference decision on Tuesday night.

Mikaela Stanton (left) led the Comets with 17 points. Maureen Fegan scored nine points, Melanie Lombardi eight. Bianca Littleton led in rebounds with seven. Palomar led 35-27 at halftime.

The Monarchs advanced to 4-1 on the season, while the Comets are 4-2.

Palomar will be off until a week from Friday, when the Comets begin play in the Lady Charger Classic at Cypress College.

Comets control boards, roll up Warriors 78-60

SAN MARCOS (11-17-2012) -- Palomar finds itself 4-1 in women's basketball after a 78-60 non-conference victory over El Camino on Saturday at The Dome as Alliya Pinckney (left) scored 21 points.

The Comets are off to their best start since the championship 2009-10 team began the season 5-1.

Melanie Lomardi (right) scored 17 points and Florentina Mendoza had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.

Lombardi was 8-for-8 on free throws and the Palomar team went 28-for-39 from the line. Mendoza was 7-for-8 from the line. Ashley Weatherspoon went 6-for-8.

The Comets hauled down 41 rebounds as they controlled the boards against the Warriors. Bianca Littleton grabbed 8 rebounds, Witherspoon and Shalia Williams 7 each, and Mikaela Stanton and Mendoza 5 apiece.

Palomar led early 26-16, saw El Camino score 8 straight points to close to within 2, but was back up by 10 at halftime and went on an 8-0 run to start the second half to lead 41-25.

The Warriors, who opened the season Friday by beating traditional power Orange Coast, are 1-1.

Coach Leigh Marshall's Comets will visit Los Angeles Valley on Tuesday and won't be home again until Jan. 11 when they play Southwestern.

Williams scores 20 as Comets win home opener

SAN MARCOS (11-16-2012) -- Shalia Williams (left), a 5-foot-11 freshman center from Vista High School, provided the biggest punch Friday night at The Dome as Palomar's women's basketball squad opened its home season with a 75-49 non-conference victory over Rio Hondo.

Williams scored a gam[-high 20 points, nine in the first half as the Comets (3-1) grabbed a 34-28 lead and 11 in the second half.

She went 8-for-9 from the free throw line.

Florentina Mendoza and Melanie Lombardi each scored nine points for Palomar. Alliya Pincvkney and Mikaela Stanon had seven points each.

In all, 10 Cometes scored.

Palomar will host El Camino College on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Comets split 2 games, is 2-1 to open the season

HEMET (11-10-2012 / 11-11-2012) -- Palomar won for the second time in three games to open the women's basketball season on Sunday, defeating Victor Valley 63-51 in a non-conference game at Mt. San Jacinto College.

Bianca Littleton led the Comets with 13 points. Florentina Mendoza and Alliya Pinckney each had 10 points.

On Friday, Palomar dropped a 75-67 non-conference decision to Mt. San Jacinto at the sasme site. Littleton scored 12 points, Gabby Cabrera 11 points and Mikaela Stanton 10 points.

Palomar opens with 54-51 victory on the road

SANTA ANA (11-08-2012) -- Palomar opened its third women's basketball season under coach Leigh Marshall by downing Santa Ana 54-51 on the road on Thursday.

Mikaela Stanton led the Comets with 10 points off the bench. Alliya Pickney (left) and Melanie Lombardi each tallied nine points.

Gabby Cabrera added eight points and eight steals. Blanca Littleton pulled down seven rebounds.

Palomar led 28-15 at the half.

ABOVE: Palomar's Ashley Witherspoon (Mission Hills High School), shown taking the ball to the basket in a 61-60 victory over MiraCosta last Jan. 20, is one of five returnees from Palomar's 2011-12 team. BELOW LEFT: Alliya Pinckney (Mt. Carmel High), driving past a Santa Ana defender last season, was an All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honorable mention selection as a freshman. BELOW RIGHT: Leigh Marshall, who is beginning her third season as coach of the Comets-- Photos by Hugh Cox

Comets await opener on Nov. 8 at Santa Ana

SAN MARCOS (10-24-2012) -- Leigh Marshall, beginning her third season as Palomar's women's basketball coach, has five returnees back from last season's team as she hopes for a breakthrough season for the Comets in 2012-13.

Back from last season's 5-21 team is 5-foot-4 guard Alliya Pinckney, a scoring threat out of Mt. Carmel High School who was an All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honorable mention selection as a freshman.

Marshall's other returnees are forward Ashley Witherspoon (5-8) from Mission Hills High, guard guard Rhaishell Yasey (5-2) from Everett Alvarez High in Salinas, guard Irene Amezcua (5-4) from San Marcos St. Joseph's Academy and center Kelly Marcy (5-11) from Calvary Murrieta High in Murrieta.

The other sophomores are guard Florentina Mendoza (5-4) who prepped at Rio Linda High School outside Sacramento and is a transfer from Sacramento City College and guard Melanie Lombardi (5-5) from Christian Life Academy in Escondido.

Heading Marshall's recruiting class: Mikaela Stanton, a 5-4 guard from Vista High School who was the Avocado East League Player of the Year while averaging 16 points per game for the Panthers. She tied a Vista record by draining seven 3-pointers in a 66-50 victory over Mission Hills High last January.

Stanton was a North County Times All-North County selection.

Guard Maureen Fegan (5-8) was a first-team All-Avocado West League selection at Rancho Buena Vista High.

The other freshmen are center Morgan Prickett (5-11) from Washigton High School in Freemont, cener Shalia Williams (5-11) from Vista High, forward Bianca Littleton (5-8) from Vista High and guard Galbby Cabrera (5-4) from Christian Life Academy.

The Comets will open the season on Thursday, Nov. 8 when they play Santa Ana on the road at 5:30 p.m. They'll play Mt. San Jacinto on Nov. 10 and Victor Valley on Nov. 11, both at Mt. San Jacinto, and will begin their home season Nov. 16 and 17 when they play host to Rio Hondo and El Camino.

Palomar's Pacific Coast Athletic Conference opener will be Jan. 9 at defending conference champion San Diego Mesa.

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