Lopez becomes all-time Mission three-point record holder

GILROY -- In front of her hometown crowd in the place where she grew a love for basketball, Mission College guard Alyssa Lopez broke the school record for three-pointers made in a career. Playing Gavilan College, Lopez entered the game with 173 career 3's and downed 10 to break Celina Pagan's 10-year-old record.

"Congratulations to Alyssa on this outstanding achievement," said Associate Vice Chancellor of Intercollegiate Athletics John Vlahos. "She has been the model of consistency over her two years bringing her best effort every night. This is a testament to the amount of time she devotes to her craft and we couldn't be more proud of her."

The sophomore guard needed just six 3's to tie Pagan, who set the record by hitting a 3 against Cabrillo College on February 12, 2016, nearly ten years prior to the date of Lopez's record. In the first quarter alone against Gavilan, Lopez drilled five, making the record feel like more of a possibility.

"I actually did not know at all that I was even close to the record," said Lopez, "or what the record was. I just went out there like I usually do for any other game, but after the first half, I wanted to beat my original game-high of seven 3's."

Lopez entered the half already having tied that mark, which she had set earlier this season against Merced. The red-hot guard cooled down in the third quarter but, with 5:46 to play in the ballgame, nailed a 3 to put her in first place.

"It's been a joy to coach Alyssa," said head coach Antonio Veloso, "as she bring a fiery competitiveness every day. She puts in the work, the reps, and it shows."

Overall, Lopez finished with 34 points, tied for fifth-most in a game by a Mission player. Her ten 3's tied both Tricia Erezo and Alli Dioli for second-most in a single game.

"It means a lot," said Lopez, "it shows a lot of growth I've taken in these past two years. I've never set a school record before, so it shows what I'm capable of from myself. I'm thankful and blessed to be able to say I have a record and hope to continue to build upon it in these last few games.

More than that, it was important and emotional for Lopez to break the record in her hometown.

"It was bittersweet," said Lopez, "to be honest, it was one of the last times I would ever be able to play in my hometown, so to be able to do it in the city that I started in and in front of my family was amazing."

With just two regular season games remaining, the Saints continue a late push for the postseason behind Lopez's heroics.