COD (0-2) ended up face-to-face with one of the best teams in the state and also the host of the tournament they were participating in as they fell to Mt. San Antonio and College of the Canyons in the Mt. SAC Tip-Off Classic.

In the opening round of the Mt. SAC Tip-Off Classic, Desert found themselves in a tough spot early against the Mt. San Antonio Mounties (3-0), as the Roadrunners fell, 86-28. Freshman starting guard Mercades Young (Moreno Valley Vista Del Lago) scored 10 points on 4 of 13 shooting, going 2 for 4 from beyond the arc and sophomore forward Lexie Jackson (La Quinta H.S.) led the team in total rebounds (9), steals (2) and blocks (2). Freshman forward Yesenia Velazquez-Hernandez (Thermal Desert Mirage) came off of the bench to add 7 points on 2 of 13 shooting, going 3 for 4 at the free throw line on the night.

On the consolation side of the bracket, the Roadrunners were matched-up with the College of the Canyons Cougars (2-1), where Desert received a fantastic effort in the second quarter, the team dominated the quarter 24-15, but fell in the game 84-63.

Sophomore forward Jerrica Perez (Indio Shadow Hills) led the way for Desert with 13 points on 4 of 10 shooting, going 3 for 6 from beyond the arc and freshman guard Jada Tolan (Indio Shadow Hills) added 11 points on 3 of 6 shooting, going 5 of 8 from the free throw line. Once again, Jackson led the team in three categories, total boards (11), assists (4) and blocks (4). Freshman guard Cienna Martinez (Bishop H.S.) leapt off of the bench to add 9 points, going 2 for 3 from three-point range on the afternoon.

Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.