No. 21 Palomar Upsets No. 13 San Diego Mesa in Conference Opener

SAN MARCOS, CA (1/8/2025) -- The No. 21-ranked Palomar College women's basketball team opened conference play with a statement win, defeating No. 13 San Diego Mesa College 79-69 on Wednesday night. The Comets pulled off the upset at home, improving to 9-6 on the season and 1-0 in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) play.

Brooke Quintana led the way for Palomar with a stellar performance, scoring 18 points while adding four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Her poise in critical moments helped the Comets maintain their lead in a tightly contested game.

Kylee Trujillo was equally impressive, finishing with 17 points, including three three-pointers, and contributing four assists and two steals. Teanna Alaman controlled the paint, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Kailani Flournoy added nine points and nine rebounds to round out a strong frontcourt effort.

Palomar's defense was a key factor in the win, holding Mesa to just 35.5% shooting from the field and forcing 17 turnovers. The Comets also outscored the Olympians 50-16 in the paint, showcasing their dominance inside. Palomar's bench played a crucial role, contributing 28 points compared to Mesa's seven, with Angelina De Leon and Dayvis Key combining for 10 points and nine rebounds.

The game saw the Comets jump out to an early 20-15 lead after the first quarter and hold off Mesa's attempts to close the gap in the second half. A balanced attack and efficient scoring down the stretch sealed the victory for Palomar.

Next, the Comets will host San Diego City College on Friday at 6 pm. With momentum on their side, Palomar looks to build on their strong start to conference play as they continue their pursuit of a PCAC title.