Orange Coast College

Women's Basketball: Ford named MVP as Pirates win Cuesta tournament

Monday, December 03, 2007

SAN LUIS OBISPO - The Orange Coast College women's basketball team successfully defended its Conoco Phillips Invitational Tournament title by posting wins over Allan Hancock (84-33), L.A. Pierce (87-70) and Chaffey (67-47).

Courtney Ford was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player for the second straight year -- the first-ever two-time MVP in the tourney's history. The sophomore guard came through with 66 points (22 points-per-game average), 25 rebounds (8.3 per game) and 12 assists (4 per game).

Joining Ford on the All-Tournament Team was sophomore Erin Barney, who provided strong, all-around play on both sides of the floor.

Following the easy win over Allan Hancock, the No. 2 state-ranked Pirates went up against L.A. Pierce, who entered the game undefeated, but left the game with its first blemish following OCC's 87-70 win.

Ford led all scorers with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Simone Ibbotson added 16 points and six rebounds, while Rachael Maulit paced the offense with 10 assists to go along with her six points and three steals.

In the finale against Chaffey (ranked No. 7 in Southern California), OCC (9-1) again was led by Ford's 21-point, nine rebound, seven-assist performance. Katie Kissee provided 15 points and seven rebounds and Casey Gomez added eight points. Kissee and Gomez combined for five 3-pointers to provide the Pirates with some long-range offense.

"In the win against Chaffey, that was probably our best defensive effort of the year," OCC head coach Mike Thornton said. "All in all, it was a very good trip for us."

OCC returns to the Peterson Gym on Wednesday to face El Camino, beginning at 7 p.m.