Preview: Pasadena City vs. Palomar in SoCal Playoffs Opener

SAN MARCOS, Calif. (Interstat) — The Palomar College women’s basketball team, riding a five-game winning streak, will host Pasadena City College on Wednesday in the first round of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Regional playoffs.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2026.

The No. 10-seeded Comets (18-7) enter the postseason as one of the state’s hottest teams, having won 10 of their last 11 games. Their offense has been dominant during the streak, scoring 80 or more points in four of those victories. Forward Kailani Flournoy has been a consistent force, averaging a double-double in recent play, including a 15-point, 11-rebound performance in the regular-season finale against MiraCosta.

The No. 15-seeded Lancers (13-13) snapped a two-game skid with a narrow overtime win over East Los Angeles on Feb. 18 but fell to Rio Hondo 52-42 in their final regular-season game. Pasadena City will rely heavily on forward Celine Bolton-Ford, who has recorded six double-doubles since late January. In the loss to Rio Hondo, Bolton-Ford neared another with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Palomar’s defense, which has held opponents to an average of 49.2 points during its current win streak, will be tested by Bolton-Ford’s interior presence. The Comets’ balanced scoring, led by Flournoy and guard Ivorii Seals, will challenge a Lancers squad that has struggled offensively at times, including a 37-point outing in a loss to Mount San Antonio earlier this month.

The winner advances to the second round of the SoCal playoffs on Saturday, Feb. 28.