Cats end playoff drought with dominating win

The Saddleback women's basketball team defeated Los Angeles Mission College, 71-46, on Wednesday night inside the gymnasium.  The game ended a nine-year drought from the playoffs and was the first playoff victory for the program since 2008.

Saddleback started slowly but eventually got things cranked up in its first playoff appearance since 2017.  Most of the players on the team were close to 10 years old the last time the program made the playoffs, but showed no youth on Wednesday night in their first playoff appearance of 2026.

Saddleback led 16-11 after the opening quarter as the defense held LA Mission to 27% shooting in the opening 10 minutes of the game.  The Bobcats then went through a cold spell of their own in the second quarter as the Eagles battled back to within three points with under four minutes remaining in the half.  Saddleback eventually took a seven point lead into the locker room at the intermission.

Saddleback completely owned the second half, dominating from start to finish.  The Bobcats went on a 14-2 run to start the half as Los Angeles Mission couldn't buy a basket.  Saddleback got red hot from the outside, led by Mariana Mina.  The freshman from El Toro High School made 3-of-5 shots from long range as the Cats built up a 58-35 lead through three quarters.  Mina (pictured) would make another three-pointer in the final quarter to finish with a game-high 16 points for the night.

Saddleback was completely dominant on the glass, outrebounding Los Angeles Mission 57-36 for the night.  Kassidy Beach and Makayla Rutledge both finished with double-doubles on the night.  Beach had 13 points, 19 rebounds and four assists while Rutledge scored 11 points while collecting 12 rebounds. 

Saddleback is now 21-8 overall for the season.  The Bobcats will now travel to Glendale College on Saturday night for the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs.

Game Note:  Wednesday's win was the first playoff victory for women's basketball since 2008 when the program defeated College of the Canyons (84-59) before falling to Ventura College in the regional finals.