SBCC shot 28.3 percent on Thursday and Monterey Peninsula used a big second-half run to post a 77-58 men’s basketball win in the opening round of the eight-team Monterey Bay Classic.
Steven Saenz led the Vaqueros (2-6) with a season-best 21 points. Santa Barbara played without its leading scorer, Richard Somdah, who was averaging 19.8 points before hurting his ankle last Sunday.
Malik Bradley added 11 points and Chris Vines had six rebounds.
The Lobos had their 34-25 halftime lead cut to two (45-43) with 9:50 to play. They regained control with a 19-5 run that gave them a 64-48 advantage.
“We only had 15 turnovers but six of those came during that 19-5 run,” said coach Morris Hodges.
SBCC will take on Gavilan on Friday at 3 p.m.
