DESERT (Interstat) — Giovanna Espinoza scored a game-high 29 points to lead the Desert College Roadrunners to a 67-52 victory over the Palo Verde Pirates in a California Community College women’s basketball game Saturday.

Desert built a commanding 42-23 halftime lead behind 18 first-quarter points and 24 in the second. Palo Verde outscored the Roadrunners in the second half but could not overcome the early deficit. Anaiah Brown led the Pirates with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Jennifer Hughes added 10 points and a remarkable 26 rebounds in the loss.

The Roadrunners improved to 11-12 overall, while the Pirates fell to 3-23.