Bakersfield College women’s basketball team pulled out a tough victory against L.A. Valley to stay in first place of the Western State Conference.

BC beat L.A. Valley 77-67 on Feb. 8 and improved to a 6-3 conference record. BC got a big game from sophomore guard Jausecca Cockeral, who had 27 points 10 rebounds and 7 assists in the game. Sophomore forward Gabi Morales also chipped in with 15 rebounds off the bench.

BC got to a slow start falling behind early by a score of 7-2.

“It’s just what we do. I want us to change that, but I think part of it has to be our youth,” said BC coach Paula Dahl.

BC tried to get back into the game in the first half, but ended up going into halftime down 37-33.

BC came out in the second half with more energy beating L.A. Valley to every loose ball, and BC was able to build a double-digit lead in the second half that really insured the victory.

“I thought we really picked it up. I challenged them to step it up, and I told them ‘We don’t have tomorrow, we only have today’ and they took care of it,” said Dahl.

Dahl commented on the game.

“I think we started slow, but our second half was phenomonal. I thought it was unbelievable how Jausecca played. She played with great confidence, made some big shots and played some tough defense. The whole team respects her and she’s just a great kid.

“I think winning this game and staying in first is huge. We just have to have confidence in ourselves and take it one game at a time,” she said.

She also added that if Canyons beat West L.A. then BC and Canyons would be tied for first, while West L.A. and L.A. Valley would be tied for second with only one game behind.

BC’s next game is scheduled to be at home against Citrus on Feb. 11.