Santa Barbara City College’s women’s basketball team spent just about its entire preseason schedule on the road, last playing in the Sports Pavilion over six weeks ago.
But the Vaqueros were at home on Wednesday night for their Western State Conference opener and started the new year by edging Moorpark 56-54.
“It was actually really exciting,” said SBCC’s leading scorer Jake Kelly, who poured in 18 points, of the home-court advantage. “I think that helped our momentum a little bit because we were here in front of our own fans, in our own gym. I think it was good for us to be here.”
SBCC's Giovanna Alpin drives towards the baseline as teammate Jake Kelly cuts towards the basket.
SBCC needed all the help it could get to bring down the Raiders.
Brittany Stephenson lent a big hand, scoring four of her eight points in the final minute to hold off Moorpark, which gave itself a chance to win thanks to two late 3-pointers from Molly Carson.
Stephenson gave SBCC a 55-51 lead with 9.5 seconds on the clock with a clutch turn-around 12-foot jump shot in the lane, making it a two-possession game. Stephenson also had a team-high eight rebounds.
But Carson gave the Raiders life, nailing an NBA-range trey to make it 55-54 with 2.4 seconds on the clock. Mara Luz was immediately fouled on the inbounds and made 1-of-2 free throws. Moorpark, which didn’t have any timeouts, was unable to get a game-winning shot attempt off with only 1.1 seconds left.
“I’m really proud of them because they battled and made big plays down the stretch,” said SBCC head coach Sandrine Krul, who coached at Moorpark for seven years.
Krul credited the team’s tough preseason schedule for the Vaqueros’ mental toughness. SBCC’s nine losses in the early season were by an average of only 4.5 points.
“That’s been us all year. In games like this, we’ve already been through this,” explained Krul. “I was not worried, I was not at all thinking, ‘oh my god, it could go either way,’ because they’ve been in that situation for 16 games.
Kelly shared her coaches’ swagger.
“I know that our team can lock it down on defense so I was confident,” said the sophomore guard.
Ten of Kelly’s 18 points came in the second half, including a stretch where she scored seven straight for the Vaqueros to extend a 37-36 lead to 44-36. SBCC ‘s largest lead of the game was nine points at 37-28 with 11:52 remaining in the game.
SBCC (9-9, 1-0 WSC) never was able to put the Raiders (7-9) away, however, making for the exciting finish.
“They’re 7-and-9 but they’re a very good 7-and-9,” Krul said.
Bev Lamphear was Moorpark’s most dangerous weapon, stinging the Vaqueros for 20 points.
SBCC hits the road again for a two-game trip next week at L.A. Pierce and Ventura before returning to the Sports Pavilion again on Jan. 20.
