The PCCC Lady Panthers defeated rival Ocean County Community College, 79-72 on Sunday March 1st, to claim the Region XIX Championship and earn a spot in the National Tournament. Going into the game, the Lady Panthers had an overall record of 22-1. Their one loss coming against Ocean County Community College earlier in the season. PCCC defeated Ocean County the second time the teams met in the regular season tying the series at 1-1.
On Sunday March 1st, the team's faced off for the final time in the Region XIX Championship at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.
Both teams kept things close in the first quarter as Ocean County lead 22-19. Ocean County outscored the Lady Panthers by six points in the second quarter to put them ahead 39-30 at the half.
Things did not get any better for the Lady Panthers as they were behind by twenty points with five minutes left in the third quarter. Going into the fourth quarter PCCC still trailed 49-66. Then the unthinkable happened. The Lady Panthers closed out the game with their best fourth quarter performance of the season outscoring Ocean County 30-6 to win the Region XIX Championship.
Sabrina DeFreese scored 38 points and tallied 13 rebounds earning "Most Valuable Player." Janieris Rodriguez scored 17 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, and blocked 6 shots to help anchor the Lady Panthers defense.
Up next for the Lady Panthers, they will travel to Rockford Illinois for the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship on March 12-14.