Cougars show early fight in home loss against Taft, 72–38

Los Angeles, CA. — LA Southwest women's basketball came out attacking and traded blows early, but a cold stretch in the second quarter allowed Taft to pull away as the Cougars fell 72–38 on Friday afternoon.

Southwest answered the opening three with a strong drive from Emaya Trahan, who scored on a layup at 9:30 of the first quarter to make it 3–2 and settle the Cougars into the game. After another Taft basket, the Cougars executed in transition when Destiny Hurt-Floyd drove and dropped off a pass to Lluvaster Hernandez for a layup at 8:17 (1st), cutting the deficit to 6–4. A few possessions later, Kelis Jones drew contact and split a pair at the line at 7:52 (1st) to bring Southwest within one at 6–5.

On the very next trip, Hurt-Floyd jumped a passing lane at 7:41 (1st) and went coast-to-coast for a layup at 7:40 (1st) to give the Cougars their first lead of the night at 7–6. Southwest continued to answer each run, and with the hosts up 10–7, Jones stepped into a right-wing three at 6:00 (1st) to tie the game at 10–10. The Cougars' early tempo and backcourt play kept them in rhythm before Taft closed the first quarter on a run to lead 23–13.

Southwest battled through a tough shooting stretch in the second quarter as several drives and open midrange looks rimmed out. The Cougars broke the drought when Rian Dillihunt attacked downhill for a layup at 2:56 (2nd) to make it 40–15, and Trahan added another finish at 2:27 (2nd) to bring it to 42–17. Despite the halftime margin, the Cougars kept working defensively, forcing long rebounds and staying active in passing lanes.

Dillihunt sparked the offense again after halftime with a transition layup at 9:03 (3rd) and another score at 4:51 (3rd) as the Cougars stayed aggressive in the paint. Trahan added a transition finish at 0:21 (3rd), while Jones and Hurt-Floyd combined for multiple offensive rebounds and deflections throughout the quarter. In the fourth, Jones scored on a layup at 9:34 (4th), and Dillihunt continued her strong half by drawing contact and knocking down free throws at 2:36 (4th) to close her night.

Southwest finished with 30 rebounds and 13 steals, led by Dillihunt and Trahan with 12 points each, Jones with 9 points and 6 rebounds, and Hurt-Floyd adding 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. The Cougars will look to build on their early execution and second-half energy as they continue nonconference play.

The Cougs hit the road later this week, traveling to San Jose for a Thursday night matchup against Gavilan College at 7 p.m. at San Jose City College. Southwest will look to carry its early-game execution and strong fourth-quarter bench production into the trip as the Cougars continue nonconference play.

Cougar stat leaders

• Rian Dillihunt – 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

• Emaya Trahan – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block

• Kelis Jones – 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals

• Destiny Hurt-Floyd – 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block