It took SBCC a while to find its shooting touch in Wednesday’s WSC North women’s basketball opener at the Sports Pavilion but the Vaquero defense was in high gear for 40 minutes. Santa Barbara made 11 of its 19 steals in the second half to pull away from Oxnard, 67-48.
Francesca DeAngelis tossed in 13 points and Katie Randall had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Vaqueros (15-8, 1-0), who’ve won five of their last six games. Imelda Bealer added eight points and also had six steals.
“I read the other players and try to anticipate,” said Bealer, a former Fairfax High standout who had two straight steals to ignite a 15-2 run that put SBCC ahead 54-40 with 5:16 to play.
Josie Piercey had eight points and 11 rebounds.
“When our shots aren’t falling, we just get back on defense and make a stop,” said Piercey, a 5-10 sophomore from Bishop High in the high desert.
Randall’s only first-half basket — a 3-point swish at the buzzer — gave the Vaqueros a 24-23 lead at the half. SBCC forced Oxnard in 32 turnovers and held them to 34.6 percent shooting.
“I’m going to use a quote by (ex-UCSB star) Carrick DeHart,” said coach Sandrine Krul. “He said, ‘Defensive intensity equals offensive freedom.’ It’s an old quote and I’ve always remembered it.
“Katie Randall didn’t have a great shooting game (4-16) but she does everything else with nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. And Frannie has been a great spark off the bench.”
The Vaqueros return to action on Saturday at Hancock with the tip set for 7 p.m.
(Photos by John Dvorak/PresidioPics. To order prints, e-mail [email protected]).
