Nanice Kollee scored 18 of her season-high 20 points in the first half on Tuesday night but SBCC couldn’t overcome a huge disparity in free throws in the opening round of the Grossmont women’s basketball tournament at El Cajon.
Mt. San Jacinto made 30-of-45 from the charity stripe in a 76-61 victory that snapped the Vaqueros’ four-game win streak. SBCC, ranked No. 15 in the state and No. 10 in Southern Cal, hit 30 percent from the field and 8-15 from the foul line.
The Eagles (10-4), who led 29-23 at halftime, outrebounded the Vaqueros (11-5) by a decisive 60-34 margin. SBCC has lost the board battle in all five of its defeats.
“Even with them getting 30 more free throws, it was still a 5- or 6-point game with six minutes to play,” noted coach Sandrine Krul. “They were more athletic. We’d be boxing them out and the refs would call a foul on us.”
Imelda Bealer scored 11 points with five rebounds, three assists and three steals before fouling out. Lyndsay Bergus had 10 points and four assists and Janelle Wong added eight points and eight rebounds.
The Vaqueros will take on Reedley in a consolation semifinal at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
