COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENT : Golden West Starts Fast, Holds Off Butte

Nicole Quinn scored off an offensive rebound as time ran out to give Golden West a 65-64 victory over Butte in a semifinal game of the women’s basketball State tournament Friday at Solano College in Suisun City.

Butte took its only lead, 64-63, when Michelle Hearn scored with 12 seconds left. Quinn, daughter of Saddleback High boys’ basketball Coach Pat Quinn, made the winning shot after Butte’s Iseth Cowan (26 points) got a rebound but lost the ball.

“I didn’t realize the basket counted until my teammates hugged me,” Quinn said. “I thought time had run out.”

Golden West was at its best early, opening a 31-9 lead. The Rustlers led, 39-22, at the half but Butte rallied in the second half, outscoring the Rustlers, 42-26.

Julie Murdent scored 23 and Michelle Kravik added 12 and Deana Itow had 11 and eight assists. Kristin Brun had a team-high 11 rebounds and six assists.

Golden West (33-4) is playing in its eighth consecutive State tournament. The Rustlers won titles in 1990 and 1991. Golden West advances to play L.A. Harbor in the title game at 8 tonight.