Despite dressing just nine players, the Foothill College women's basketball team pulled out a 59-49 win over Contra Costa Sunday in the first round of the De Anza Classic.
The Owls, co-hosts of the 16-team tournament, roared back from an eight-point deficit to beat the visitors.
Foothill coach Jody Craig said her team's full-court press and match-up zone turned the tide.
"Our defense changed the game," Craig said. "We started limiting their shots and taking away their penetration."
Offensively, Sheree Taft led Foothill with 16 points. Mia Sibug added 12 points and Erin Stanbridge had 11. Ekuah Ramsey scored seven points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
The Owls had to play without forward Line Kongeskov, who went home to Denmark for the holidays, and injured center Diseph Igoni.
Foothill took on Solano Monday in the second round, a game played after the Town Crier went to press.
The tourney championship will be played at 5 p.m. today at De Anza College. The third-place game is set for 3 p.m. and the consolation championship will be at 1 p.m.
The Town Crier will follow-up on the De Anza Classic in next week's issue.