CSM completes amazing comeback to advance to Round 2 of NorCal Playoffs

LEMOORE – Diamond Altamirano totaled 16 points and 8 rebounds to help lead No. 23-seeded College of the San Mateo to a 71-62 upset win at No. 10 Lemoore College in an opening-round game of the Northern California Regional Playoffs on Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs got off to a dismal start and trailed 23-9 after the first quarter. But CSM never gave up and slowly worked its way back into the game. Down 40-26 at halftime and 52-41 after the third quarter, the Bulldogs pulled out the win by outscoring Lemoore 30-10 over the final 10 minutes in the fourth to complete the epic playoff comeback.

Marie Palu added 14 points, Bree Hodge totaled 12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, Lynn Alapati scored 11 points, and Tatiana Wilson chipped in with 8 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals to all contribute to the win.

San Mateo, now 15-14 overall, is headed to Round 2 of the NorCal playoffs to take on a familiar foe. The Bulldogs play at No. 7-seed City College of San Franciso on Saturday at 5 p.m. with a trip to the regional finals on the line.

The Coast Conference North Division rivals have already faced each other twice this season with the Rams winning both games. CCSF is 22-5 overall and took first place in the Coast North with a 7-1 record.

Saturday's winner will take on either No. 2 Folsom Lake College or No. 15 Los Medanos College in a third-round game on March 7. Two more wins are needed by the Bulldogs to advance to the 3C2A State Championships on March 12-15 at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.