The SDCC women's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Knights' Colbert Classic for the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five years, but the Knights fell short in Sunday's final with an 84-77 loss to Saddleback.
Sophomore center Samera Henry had a career-high 29 points to go with 20 rebounds and helped lead a fourth quarter rally that got the Knights to within five points with 24 seconds remaining after falling behind by 24 points with 8:03 left in the game.
City used a 10-0 run in the second quarter to take a 19-16 lead, but the Saddleback Gauchos responded with an 11-0 run of their own to regain a 27-19 lead and then went into the locker room with a 42-30 halftime advantage.
The Knights got behind by 24 points early in the fourth quarter, but they did not go down without a fight. Henry scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the final quarter, and Mikaelah Wieland came off the bench to score seven of her season-high 14 points in the fourth to help the Knights' rally.
City's five offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter led to nine second-chance points, including a layup by Henry to bring the Knights to within five points of Saddleback, but that would be as close as they would get as the Gauchos went on to claim the tournament championship.
City won the rebound battle, 52-40, but free throws proved costly for the Knights as they only made 19-of-36 from the line.
The Knights made it to the title game by routing Victor Valley, 71-49, in the first round and Los Angeles Southwest, 68-47, in the semifinals on Saturday.
Justice Shorty led City against Victor Valley with 17 points. Henry added 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Henry had another double-double against L.A. Southwest with 16 points and 11 boards. Shorty added 12 points and five rebounds.
The Knights won the Colbert Classic championship in 2012 and 2013. They lost to Santa Barbara in the title game a year ago.
City will travel to play at the West L.A. tournament beginning Thursday, December 15. The Knights will play Yuba College at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.
