Seahawks Split With Mustangs and Avengers at Annual Holiday Classic

Cecil College women's basketball split with one win over the Monroe College Mustangs and one loss to the Avengers of ASA College in the annual Holiday Classic on December 14 and 15. The Seahawks improved to four wins on the year and tallied one more loss (4-3), while staying at 2-1 against conference opponents. 

The Seahawks got out to slow start in their first match of the Holiday Classic but were able to overcome a defecit by as many as seven points to defeat the Mustangs of Monroe College by a final score of 65-60. In an evenly matched first quarter, the Seahawks and Mustangs found themselves tied at 16 with 0:17 left on the clock until a defensive rebound by Jayla Smith led to a made three-pointer from Kayla Thompson to give them the 19-16 edge with three quarters left to play.

Despite the Mustangs scoring the second quarter's first point, the Seahawks went on a 17-1 run in the first seven minutes and outscored Monroe 19-7 before heading into the halftime break. The Mustangs were able to make a promising comeback to within three points but ran out of time as Jayla Smith converted a lay up to finalize the 65-60 score.

Sophomore guard Kayla Thompson had a game-high 21 points while dishing out seven assists and grabbing three rebounds. Jayla Smith recorded her third double-double in points and rebounds while Jadia Jackson contributed an additional 10 points. Freshman guard Destiny Perry tallied eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and caused seven turnovers.

In their second contest of the Holiday Classic, the Seahawks fell to ASA College by a final score of 65-50, after struggling offensively for the majority of the game. Cecil shot 31.1% from the floor, 16.7% from the three-point line, and only converted two out of 13 free throw opportunities (15.4%) against the Avengers.

Jayla Smith was the lone Seahawk in double-digit points while coming off the bench, with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. The starters for the Seahawks scored a combined 32 points, with eight points coming from Kayla Thompson.

Cecil College women's basketball will compete in one more game before the holiday break against Monroe College - Bronx on Thursday, December 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in North East, Md. The Seahawks will also be participating in the Title IX Classic at the D.C. Armory on December 27-29 before returning their home court in the new year on January 10.