DIVISION II GIRLS : Brea-Olinda Surges During Second Half, 45-39

The Brea-Olinda girls’ basketball team recovered from a nine-point deficit in the first half and defeated University City, 45-39, in the Southern Regional Division II final at the Sports Arena on Saturday.

Brea-Olinda (31-2) will make its fifth consecutive appearance in the state tournament final Friday at the Oakland Coliseum against Bella Vista (30-4). Bella Vista beat Sacramento El Camino, 53-47.

It will be seeking its fourth state championship in five years.

The perennially powerful Ladycats appeared sluggish during the first half.

“It just took us awhile to get ready and get our heads on straight,” said Nicole Erickson, Brea-Olinda’s junior point guard.

University City (25-6) led by nine points in the middle of the second quarter, but Brea-Olinda closed to within four points by halftime.

Trailing, 21-17, the Ladycats came out for the second half with a different defense, man-to-man, and a new enthusiasm.

Spurred by 10 third-quarter points from Sarah Beckley, a junior forward, Brea-Olinda outscored University City, 17-7, during the third quarter to take a 34-28 lead. The Ladycats led by as many as eight points during the fourth quarter.

Brea-Olinda outrebounded University City, 40-30, including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Beckley led the Ladycats with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

University City concentrated on stopping Erickson, who averaged a team-leading 22.7 points going into the game.

Erickson, who scored 11 points, said that she was not concerned about being overplayed.

“With this team, if people aren’t doing something, other people are going to pick it up,” Erickson said.

Jessica Birchler led University City with 12 points.