Pirates stunned, 61-59

COSTA MESA — Visiting San Bernardino Valley had shots carom off the side of the backboard, layups launch two feet over the rim and saw four shots fail to draw iron that weren’t blocked Friday night.

But despite shooting a paltry 32.3% from the field (21 of 65) and 12.5% from three-point range (one for eight), the Wolverines were on the mark in the only department that mattered in the second round of the Southern California Regional women’s basketball playoffs.

The Foothill Conference’s third-place team nailed its upset bid with a 61-59 victory over Orange Coast, which had won 17 straight and 26 of its last 27.

The Pirates, seeded No. 4 in Southern California and ranked fifth in the final state coaches’ poll, saw their postseason halted in what Coach Mike Thornton called one of the most difficult losses he has absorbed in 18 seasons at the Pirates’ helm.

“It’s a tough night,” said Thornton, who credited No. 13-seeded San Bernardino Valley (20-9) with dominating in the rebounding department.

“We got hammered on the boards [54-39, including 22-8 in offensive rebounds],” Thornton said. “That was the difference in the game.”

When the Wolverines weren’t flying toward the glass, they were hounding the Pirates defensively, helping take the hosts out of what they have been accustomed to doing on the offensive end.

“We just never got into rhythm the whole game,” Thornton said. “I thought we had chances to put them away early, but we just didn’t do it.”

OCC, which had been averaging 81.8 points per game, tops in Southern California, forged leads of 4-0 and 9-3 in the first four minutes.

But the visitors countered with nine straight points and Orange Coast never led by more than five the rest of the way.

A pair of Katie Kissee free throws with 7:01 left gave OCC a 50-47 edge, but an eight-zero run by the visitors followed, including a follow shot on a missed free throw, to put the visitors up, 55-50.

A Devin Hundley three-pointer closed the deficit to 55-53 with 4:08 left, but the Pirates, who finished 35.2% from the field (19 for 54), could do no more than trade baskets the rest of the way.

Down, 61-59, with 1:41 left after Courtney Ford made two free throws, OCC missed its next four field-goal attempts, including three from inside 12 feet, to help allow the Wolverines to close it out.

Ford, the Orange Empire Conference MVP as a freshman, had a game-high 21 points, though she didn’t score until nearly the midway point in the first half. Ford was seven for 13 from the field.

“Our weakness has been our inside play and we’re going to have to get better in that area,” said Thornton, who plans on having nine players back.

“This was a bad way for the season to end for a great team,” he said.

Southern California RegionalsSan Bernardino Valley -- Baker 14, Westmoreland 8, Miller-Mallory 2, Marshall 11, Walter 6, Edwards 12, Roland 4, Jordan 4.

Second round

San Bernardino Valley 61,

Orange Coast 59

3-pt. goals -- Jordan 1.

Fouled out -- Jordan.

Technicals -- None.

Orange Coast -- Ford 21, Taylor 2, Allen 8, Hundley 3, Maulit 2, Smith 7, Calcagno 7, Kissee 6, Barney 3.

3-pt. goals -- Hundley 1, Barney 1.

Fouled out -- Maulit.

Halftime -- 27-26, OCC.