Facing the No. 1-ranked men’s basketball team in California is a tall order, especially when you’re missing two starters.
That was the scenario for SBCC on Friday as it opened play in Oxnard’s Condor Classic with a 93-75 loss to No. 1 San Bernardino Valley. The Vaqueros (1-4) were without starters Willie Reese (concussion) and Steven Saenz (food poisoning). Saenz scored a season-high 26 in his last game.
The score was tied at 30 before the Wolverines (4-0) ended the first half on a 21-6 run to open a 51-36 halftime lead.
“They’re really tall and they hurt us on the offensive boards,” said coach Morris Hodges. “We didn’t block out well and our defensive transition wasn’t good.”
David Lane led SBCC with 14 points, Edgar Pineda had 12 and center Ryan Gosselin added nine.
The Vaqueros return to action in the eight-team tourney on Saturday at 1 p.m. against L.A. Harbor or Ventura.
