Lopez double-doubles not enough for Pirates in losses at COS Tournament

Sophomore Maria Lopez posted consecutive double-doubles, but the tough start to the 2017-18 season continues for the Porterville College Women's Basketball team after the Pirates suffered a pair of losses at the College of the Sequoias Tournament. On Thursday, PC lost 70-39 to Foothill College and on Friday fell 106-62 to Mission College.

Porterville, now 0-6 overall, returns to action on Friday (Dec. 8) when the Pirates open the Fresno City College Tournament with a 5 p.m. game against San Jose City College.

Foothill 70, Porterville 39
Lopez posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds but was one of the few bright spots in the Pirates opening-game loss at the tourney. Porterville made just 16 of 68 shots during the game and went into halftime trailing 38-15.

Sayla Arguelles scored seven points while Leticia Jimenez grabbed 10 rebounds and Kathy Rodriguez chipped in with eight boards.

Mission 106, Porterville 62
Lopez posted her second consecutive double-double, this time setting new career highs with 27 points and 18 rebounds, but a dismal third quarter doomed the Pirates in Friday's loss.

The Pirates trailed 55-41 at halftime before Mission blew the game open by outscoring PC 31-8 in the third.

The Pirates had an uptick in their shooting, this time making 22 of 76 shots while outrebounding Mission by a 68-55 margin.

Sierra Perez poured in 14 points for the Pirates and Cassy Cervantes had a good game with 12 points and six rebounds. Jimenez came up big on the glass, grabbing 12 boards.