Fairfield — After a strong conference start, the women’s basketball team has lost its last three games in a row, dropping another road contest 70-56 against Solano Community College (16-7 overall, 9-2 in the Bay Valley Conference) Friday in Fairfield.

Contra Costa College (9-12 overall 6-5 in the BVC) set the tone early in the game by scoring its first four points in the paint and altering shots on the defensive end of the floor.

The squad then began to feel the wrath of the officials. They allowed the Falcons to push and grab under the rim eliminating Comet forward Jacqie Moody’s quickness advantage.

“When a team really wants to establish themselves inside its tough for us,” Comet coach Paul DeBolt said.

With a bad Comet shot attempt and another Solano score, the home team took an 11-6 lead seven minutes into the game.

A steal and lay up by Comet guard Lenzie Chao cut the Falcon lead to three points.

“We used the second half as practice,” Chao said. “We went through a bunch of new plays and it opened up some shots that weren’t there in the first half.”

DeBolt chastised the officials within earshot as they ran past his coaching box and beyond. The coach was warned about his lack of civility regarding the manor in which he challenged the calls.

Shortly after the “discussion” between the official and DeBolt, a play indicative of the complaints occurred that took the life from the Comets legs.

On a missed shot with 9:50 minutes remaining in the half, three Falcons crashed the offensive glass following a missed shot.

The Solano post players pushed and shoved their way to four offensive rebounds. Finally converting on a short baseline jumper.

As CCC players were driven forward by hands pressed against their lower backs, no whistle was blown, nor was there any effort to look for a three second call for camping in the paint.

“At this point in the season teams are adjusting to us,” DeBolt said. “Teams are packed in zone defenses and we have had bad shooting nights.”

“I had to attack and try to find gaps to get inside for high percentage shots,” Comet forward Daziah Pounds said.

The Falcons packed in the defense, cutting down on Comet guard Ahjahna Coleman’s dribble penetration and Moody’s inside efforts. CCC finished 3-22 from behind the 3-point line, and did not hit its first until Coleman’s long effort with three minutes remaining in the first half. Entering the second the Falcons led 36-17.

In contrast, Solano out-rebounded the Comets 65-28. Falcon forward Laura Lawson led the team with 26 points and 20 rebounds and zero personal fouls.

On a night where rebounding was at a premium, with both teams missing 48 combined 3-pointers, it was not clear how neither of the Falcons’ leading rebounders were charged with a foul.

They combined to end the game with 30 rebounds.

Coleman finished with 14 points and two assists in the game. The guard finished with five free throw attempts, making three.

The Comets face conference rival Laney College on tonight at 6 p.m. in Oakland.