Hamlet Nalbandyan
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE -- With Melissa Robertson in foul trouble
and having an off night, the Glendale Community College women's
basketball team needed someone to step up.
The person that stepped forward was Marilyn Dubon, and even though she
had an off night shooting, the freshman finished with a career-high 40
points and led the Vaqueros to a 69-62 nonconference victory over East
Los Angeles College at home Tuesday night.
Earlier this year, Dubon, who is from Belmont High, had 37 points. But
Dubon could have easily had more, but missed many easy shots.
"I was frustrated with my shot because it just wasn't falling for me.
But I knew I had to keep shooting because Melissa was in foul trouble and
the team needed me," Dubon said.
Dubon came into the game averaging 21.0 points a game. She also had a
team-high 11 rebounds against the Huskies.
Robertson was averaging 15.6 a game but scored just seven.
"The problem with Melissa is she came to the gym without her shoes,
and that means that you're not ready to play," said GCC Coach Dyan
Miller.
"Marilyn rushed some of her shots and missed a lot of easy shots. But
40 points is nice, however she could have had a lot more."
The Vaqueros (9-6) pulled out another game from behind. GCC trailed,
60-52, with seven minutes left but went on a 17-2 run to finish the game.
But if anything deserves an asterisk, the final run by the Vaqueros is
it. East L.A.'s Blythe Linsey, who stands at 6-foot-5, fouled out at 6:18
and the Huskies' second best player, Murrel Hays fouled out two minutes
later. Linsey and Hays combined for 34 points and 21 rebounds before
fouling out.
East L.A. (8-7) had just seven players available, and Arlin Rossil had
fouled out earlier in the second half, so the Huskies were forced to play
with four players during the final 4:35.
"I'm not happy with this performance at all. We were not prepared in
the second half and it almost cost us. We had the lead and came out too
lightly, and that's happened too many times," said Miller.
GCC led, 38-27, at the half but the Huskies opened the second half on
a 19-8 run to tie it at 46.
East L.A. kept on pushing and eventually wound up with a 33-14 run to
open the half.
"We should beat teams like this handily, because when we go to play in
conference, it's going to be tough," said Miller, whose team forced 30
turnovers but committed 23 itself.
GCC dominated the first half, forcing 20 turnovers. Dubon scored 20
points in the half and GCC didn't trail after the 15-minute mark.
BOX SCORE
East L.A. 27 35 -- 62
GCC 38 31 -- 69
EAST L.A. -- Tejero 13, Hays 13, Rossil 5, Linsey 21 and 14 rebounds,
Lymeul 6, Zarate 4.
Three-pointers: Tejero 3.
GCC -- Lara 6, Robertson 7, Noriega 2 and 8 rebounds, Dubon 40 and 11
rebounds, Wintroath 4, Estrada 8, Samaco 2.
GCC -- Dubon 2. Robertson.
