Cougars Open Season with Win Over Pasadena at Sisterhood of Champions Tournament
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
17 | 14 | 19 | 29 | 79 |
|
|
17 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 72 |
Team Stats
Pasadena City
| Game Statistics | Taft | Pasadena City |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (23-80) | (21-54) |
| Field Goal % | 28.7% | 38.9% |
| Rebounds | 59 | 43 |
| Assists | 16 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 23 | 25 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 14 | 21 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 22 | 8 |
| Pts in the Paint | 30 | 30 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 12 | 16 |
| Bench Pts | 34 | 10 |
In their season opener on the road, the Taft College Cougars' women's basketball team clinched a hard-fought 79-72 victory over the Pasadena City College Lancers at the Sisterhood of Champions Tournament in Pasadena, CA on November 1, 2025. Led by standout scorer Madyn Kassatly with 17 points, the Cougars showcased resilience and strategic play, which played a crucial role in their success.
During the intense game, each quarter unfolded with notable actions and pivotal performances. In Period 1, an early 3-pointer by Madyn Kassatly set the pace for the Cougars. Despite Pasadena City taking a 5-point lead at one time, key plays like Laila Gines' 3-pointer and jumper ensured the quarter ended in a tie at 17-17. Moving into the second quarter, despite a defensive challenge posed by Pasadena's Celine Bolton-Ford, Taft stayed competitive with Kimiko Kennedy and Aubrey Aidan making significant contributions, closing the half trailing slightly at 35-31.
The third period saw the Cougars enhance their offensive strategy with key layups from Kimiko Kennedy and Tiara Jackson, though Pasadena continued to lead by a narrow margin of 51-50 by the end of the period. The final quarter, however, marked a significant shift with Taft's Alabama Nieves and Ella Waufle stepping up, supported by strong defensive efforts. The Cougars pulled ahead, finishing with a decisive 79-72 win.
Madyn Kassatly's performance was particularly noteworthy; she displayed outstanding scoring skills, crucially leading the team even after significant time off the court due to foul trouble. Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. praised the team's resilience and composure under pressure, highlighting their ability to perform when needed. This victory marks an optimistic start to the season for the Cougars, now standing at 1-0.