Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges update

I'm pausing with the head-thrashing to report that the Umpqua Community College women continue their winning ways with a win over Gresham last night. The Riverhawks are 21-2 and have been ranked number 1 in the NWAACC coaches poll all season long.

GRESHAM — Roseburg High graduate Kristi Fallin scored 33 points and freshman point guard Mykiea Russell turned in a solid effort as the top-ranked Umpqua Community College women’s basketball team beat Mt. Hood 89-78 Saturday in Southern Region play.

Russell had 17 points and five assists while only committing two turnovers for the Riverhawks (21-2, 8-1 NWAACC South), who held a one-point lead at halftime. Miranda Holenstein added 12 points and six rebounds, and Cassie Scheffelmaier had 12 points.

UCC outrebounded Mt. Hood, 45-36 and was led by Cassandra Tiggett’s nine boards.

Alex Melonson was the Saints’ only player to reach double figures with 19 points. She also had nine assists for Mt. Hood (12-10, 4-5).

The Riverhawks have maintained the NWAACC poll’s No. 1 ranking since the beginning of the season.

UMPQUA (89) — Kristi Fallin 11-20 6-6 33, Russell 5-10 6-8 17, Scheffelmaier 4-10 3-6 12, Holenstein 3-7 6-8 12, Tiggett 3-4 1-5 7, Takai 2-3 0-0 4, Wilton 0-3 2-2 2, Strawn 1-3 0-2 2, Owens 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-61 24-37 89.

MT. HOOD (78) — Alex Melonson 9-22 1-2 19, Beus 3-4 2-2 8, Ramos 3-6 0-0 7, Bahme 3-5 1-2 7, Yates 3-7 0-0 7, Ziegler 3-3 0-1 6, Cunningham 2-7 0-0 6, Campbell 2-5 0-0 6, Smith 2-4 0-0 5, Burroughs 2-5 0-0 5, Hodges 0-2 2-4 2, Bennett 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 32-71 7-13 78.

Halftime — UCC 44, Mt. Hood 43. 3-point goals — UCC 7-16 (Fallin 5-11, Russell 1-2, Scheffelmaier 1-3), M.H. 7-20 (Campbell 2-3, Cunningham 2-5, Ramos 1-3, Yates 1-3, Burroughs 1-2). Rebounds — UCC 45 (Tiggett 9), M.H. 36 (Smith 9). Assists — UCC 15 (Russell 5), M.H. 20 (Melonson 9). Total fouls — UCC 18, M.H. 26. Fouled out — Takai. Turnovers — UCC 16, M.H. 19.

Link: http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20090208/SPORTS/902089973/1056&title=Fallin%20scores%2033%20as%20UCC%20pulls%20away%20from%20Mt.%20Hood%3B%20Riverhawk%20men%20come%20up%20short%20in%20scoring%20fest

Way to go, Mykiea Russell! You are doing your hometown Los Angeles proud.

OK, back to the head-pounding.