Lassen College's basketball teams remained in prime contention for runs at Golden valley Conference titles after home wins over Butte College Saturday, Jan. 27. The Lady Cougars (19-5, 5-0) used a second-half surge to dump the Roadrunners 72-60.

Leading 29-27 at halftime, the Cougar women pulled away from Butte courtesy of a balanced attack.

Alyson Thurman, who was recruited by Butte, led the way with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Jasmere Kirby scored 12 and dished out six assists, and Jamie Wagner added 11 points, five assists and five rebounds.

Janelle Mack had eight points and seven rebounds, Melissa Bunker poured in three crucial treys in the second half.

"It was a big game for us and great end to the first half of the conference schedule," Lassen head coach Mark Nareau said. "Butte had beaten some good teams. Our girls gutted it out until the end."

Lassen entered the game tied for the state's No. 16 ranking and Butte stood at No. 18. In Northern California, the Lady Cougars are ranked eighth and the Roadrunners ninth.

Last Wednesday, Lassen outscored College of the Siskiyous 42-28 to cruise to a 70-54 road victory.

Exploiting the interior of Siskiyous' zone, Harrigan racked up 29 points. Kirby hit for 17; Thurman added 14 and Wagner had eight.

Lassen's men improved to 4-1 in the GVC with a 78-75 win over Butte.

A close game all the way, the Cougars kept in front of the Roadrunners with the better transition game.

Lassen's Dante Ray cashed in on the running game, scoring 18 to go with his five rebounds. Caleb Ross followed with 16 points and four rebounds. Dean Browne had 14 points and 10 boards, and Fred Blue netted 13 points.

Both teams face huge games this week at Feather River on Wednesday, Jan. 31 and at Butte Saturday, Feb. 3. To remain title bound, Lassen's men and women need victories.

The teams return home for back-to-back games on Saturday, Feb. 10 against Shasta and Wednesday, Feb.14 against College of the Redwoods. The women play at 6 p.m. and men at 8 p.m.