COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL REGIONAL PLAYOFFS : Golden West Faces College of Canyons Again

Golden West will try to keep a series of streaks going when the Rustlers open play tonight in the 16-team Southern California Regional women’s basketball playoffs.

The Rustlers (25-5), two-time defending State champions, have made five consecutive trips to the State tournament. Golden West also will be risking its 43-game home winning streak when it faces College of the Canyons (16-15) at 7 p.m.

It will be the third meeting of the teams this season. Golden West won, 73-63, and, 104-73, in nonconference games in November and December.

Golden West sophomore center Jenny Sullivan broke the career school record for rebounds this season. She has 819 rebounds overall, 396 this season, and is averaging 14 a game. Sullivan is also averaging 15.6 points.

Sophomore forward Jennifer Harney leads the Rustlers in scoring at 16.5. She is averaging 7.5 rebounds and four assists.

Sophomore forward Allison Bickel is averaging 12 points and 6.7 rebounds and sophomore guard Cossette Smith is averaging 10 points and four assists. Freshman guard Frances Oda leads in assists at 5.2, but she dislocated her shoulder two weeks ago in a game and is doubtful for tonight.

The second round of the playoffs will be held Saturday, and the final four teams from Southern California will play the four from Northern California March 5-7 in the State tournament at Merritt College in Oakland.

In other playoff games:

Santa Monica (22-7) at Saddleback (25-5), 7 p.m.--Saddleback guard Stefanie Moorman, one of the most determined players around, has been bothered by a sore back but remains in the lineup. She is averaging a team-high 15.1 points. Danielle Silva, also a sophomore swing player, is averaging 15.

Erin Schimeneck, a sophomore center, is a solid force in the middle as long as she’s not in foul trouble. She is averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Orange Coast (17-12) at Long Beach (22-6), 7 p.m.--Long Beach likes to pressure the ball, and Orange Coast is without sophomore guard Stacey Giem, who suffered a knee injury two weeks ago against Fullerton.

Giem was averaging 13 points, six assists and four rebounds. OCC’s strength will be at forward with freshman Colleen Hatch and sophomore Nicole Champion. Hatch is averaging 16 points and nine rebounds, and Champion 10 points and seven rebounds.