Zavala 22 points leads Taft in loss to Laney to close tourney

The Taft College women's basketball team closed out the three-day VC-Kiwanis Tournament of Champions with a 63-50 loss to Laney College on Saturday in Ventura.

It was a tough weekend for the Cougars as they opened the event with a 105-34 loss to No. 7 state-ranked Mt. San Antonio College on Thursday before falling 122-38 to College of the Canyons on Friday.

Saturday's contest against Laney was much closer for the Cougars, but free throw shooting proved to be the difference for the Eagles. Laney made 22 of 32 shots from the line while Taft shot just 10 free throws, making two. Taft trailed 25-24 at halftime but the Cougars scored just seven points in the third quarter that allowed Laney to pull away for good.

Zavala's game-high 22 points was also a season best. She made 11 of 18 shots and added six rebounds.

Maysan Raleigh (11 points, 6 rebounds) and Sam Washburn (10 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) also played well for the Cougars.

Raleigh led Taft with 10 points in the loss to Mt. SAC and had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds in Friday's setback against Canyons.

Taft, now 1-7 overall, returns to action on Dec. 4 when the Cougars travel to LA Southwest College for a non-conference game.