Being slow out of the gates doesn’t lend itself to beating good teams on the road, and the Santa Barbara High girls basketball team learned that amidst its four-game losing streak.
The Dons were outscored 17-5 in the first quarter and couldn’t climb back against mighty Buena in Tuesday’s 63-41 tilt down in Ventura.
Brandi Blackwell had 10 points with 11 rebounds, six steals and four blocks, but the Dons fell to 0-2 in the Channel League with a still-impressive overall record of 14-6.
“We played three really good teams on the road this week, and in all three games we didn’t show up in the first quarter. You’ve gotta pretend like you’re down by 10 at the start, not up by 10,” said coach Andrew Butcher. “In league, teams already know your strengths, so you have to have a plan B.”
Santa Barbara hosts San Marcos on Tuesday.
BUENA 63, SANTA BARBARA 41
SANTA BARBARA — Blackwell 10, Ramirez 5, Griffin 13, Crispin 5, Emerson 2, Pereyra 2, Boscacci 4. Totals 14 10-22 41.
BUENA — Ericsson 6, Crane 11, Albanez 12, Alpern 6, Holcomb 16, Shert 4, Sowell 8. Totals 22 15-19 63.
Santa Barbara…5 14 8 14 — 41
Buena…………….17 15 9 22 — 63
3-point goals — SB 3 (Griffin 2, Ramirez), B 4.
Total fouls — SB 15, B 17.
Team records — SB 14-6, 0-2. B 2-0 Channel League.
