Daniels Leads With 24 Points and 18 Reb in Win Over MiraCosta

Aamori Daniels led all players with 24 points and 18 rebounds and hit four free throws in the final 10 seconds to help the Knights edge out a 73-68 home victory over MiraCosta. D'Ajanae Lewis added 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals as City improved to 8-9 overall and 1-2 in the PCAC. 

Wednesday night's game was tight throughout with neither team taking a lead greater than five points. There were 14 ties and 23 lead changes, including six ties and six lead changes in the fourth quarter alone. 

The Knights went into the final period holding a 48-47 lead and pushed that lead to three on a jumper by Dahlia Blake, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.

MiraCosta grabbed its first lead a couple minutes later and eventually went ahead by four with 6:44 remaining. 

Daniels, who scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and hit 9-of-10 from the free throw line, tied the game at 59-59 after hitting four consecutive from the charity stripe.

After the Knights took a brief 3-point lead, MiraCosta came back to tie it once again at 67-67 with 2:09 left. 

Daniels then put the Knights ahead for good on a layup with 1:47 showing on the game clock. MiraCosta's Hailey Schmidt got her team within a point after a made free throw, but they and the Knights were unable to score again until Daniels was fouled with 10 seconds left. She made both free throws and then hit another pair from the line after a MiraCosta turnover to seal the win.

The win stopped a two-game skid to start PCAC season. The Knights will now head to Cuyamaca on Friday for a 5 p.m. tip and will be on the road again next Wednesday at Mesa.