Published: March 21, 2008 09:15 am         

Jeffers' 20, Garrett's second half defeats Mesa, 70-56

EAST PEORIA, Ill. - Tanika Jeffers scored 20 points and dished out four assists, and Tegra Hillman had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds to power Garrett to a 70-56 win over Mesa (Ariz.) on the second day of the Junior College Division II women's basketball national tournament Thursday at Illinois Central College.

Garrett, which dropped a 67-66 overtime heartbreaker to the Community College of Rhode Island in the tournament opener on Wednesday, used a big second half to beat Mesa.

Mindy Sharp added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists and Blair Bradley had five points, five rebounds and five steals for the Lakers (24-5), who led 33-31 at halftime, then outscored the Thunderbirds 37-25 in the second half. There were eight ties and five lead changes. The final score was the largest lead of the day.

Neither team shot well from the field, Garrett hitting on 36 percent (21 for 58) and Mesa 31 percent (22 for 71). The Lakers won with decisive edges from the foul line and the bench.

Garrett was 23-for-33 from the free-throw line compared to 5-for-11 for Mesa. Garrett, which won by 14, held a 14-point edge in points off the bench (20-6) with Tyeshia Briscoe leading the way with eight points and Requita Davis getting six.

Charlieann Chacon had 18 points and four assists and Lauren Hall 15 points for Mesa (13-21).

Wednesday's loss put Garrett in the losers bracket, making seventh place the best the Lakers can finish. Garrett is idle today, and will play Penn Valley, Mo., (23-12) in the seventh-place game on Saturday at noon.