COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Golden West, OCC to Play Home Games

Golden West and Orange Coast, the top community college women’s basketball teams in Orange County, each play Southern California playoff games tonight with berths in the State tournament on the line.

Golden West (33-2), the top-ranked team in Southern California, plays host to Southwestern (18-6) in a 7 p.m. game. Golden West has won 23 in a row, including a 110-64 victory over Antelope Valley in the first round Wednesday.

Golden West beat Southwestern, 105-89, Jan. 8 as Melanie Iwamasa had a career-high 44 points.

Golden West is expected to be without guard Erika Miller, who dislocated her elbow after being intentionally fouled while going for a layup against Antelope Valley.

A Golden West victory would put the Rustlers in the State tournament for the seventh consecutive season.

This season’s tournament is March 4-6 at Ventura College.

Orange Coast (26-5) is at home against Cerritos (21-9) in a 7:30 p.m. game. The Pirates won a 71-68 contest over the Falcons Dec. 9.

An OCC victory would set a team single-season record for victories.

The men’s teams open play in the first round of the 32-team Southern California playoffs tonight.

Saddleback and Cypress have home games while Rancho Santiago, Golden West, Irvine Valley and Fullerton are on the road.

Saddleback (24-7) plays host to East Los Angeles (14-17) and Bakersfield (12-17) is at Cypress (25-8), both at 7 p.m.

In 7:30 p.m. games: Rancho Santiago (19-12) is at Los Angles Harbor (17-14), Golden West (12-19) is at Long Beach (25-8), Irvine Valley (14-16) is at Santa Monica (23-7) and Fullerton (15-17) is at Cerritos (23-5). The second round is Wednesday.