Preview: Desert Hosts San Bernardino Valley in Women’s Junior College Basketball

PALM DESERT, Calif. (Interstat) — The Desert College Roadrunners will look to sweep the season series when they host the San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines in a California Community College women’s basketball matchup Saturday.

The Roadrunners (9-12) defeated the Wolverines (4-19) 78-66 in San Bernardino on Jan. 7. Desert has lost four consecutive games since that victory, most recently a 97-54 defeat at Mount San Jacinto on Wednesday. In that loss, Mariah Figueroa scored 16 points with six rebounds and three assists, while Mia Aceituno added 17 points.

Figueroa, a player to watch for Desert, is coming off her most productive game of the season. Her recent performances have fluctuated, but she logged 35 minutes in the team’s last outing.

San Bernardino Valley has lost three straight, including a 126-60 road loss to Copper Mountain on Jan. 31. The Wolverines’ last win was an 88-64 victory over Barstow on Jan. 14.

A key player for the Wolverines is Hailey Ruiz. She posted a double-double with 11 rebounds and six points in 33 minutes against Chaffey on Jan. 28 and scored 11 points in the win over Barstow. Her production will be critical for a San Bernardino Valley team seeking to improve its offensive consistency.

Following this game, Desert will host Palo Verde on Feb. 14. San Bernardino Valley’s next contest is at home against Mount San Jacinto on Feb. 11.

Saturday’s tipoff is scheduled for a 5 p.m. PST start at Desert College Gymnasium.