Saddleback used a big second half to defeat SBCC 79-53 on Thursday in the consolation final of the Hancock men’s basketball tournament in Santa Maria. The defending state champion Gauchos, ranked No. 3 in the state, improved to 15-3 by outscoring the Vaqueros 50-28 in the final 20 minutes.
Richard Somdah had his second straight double-double for SBCC (4-11) with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Hawley added 14 points and Chris Vines and Malik Bradley handed out three assists apiece.
Saddleback won the board battle 43-34, including 16 at the offensive end. The Gauchos led 29-25 at the half and 47-38 with 10 minutes to play. After an 8-3 run, they stretched the margin to 14 at 55-41.
“We played a good first half, then we gave up too many offensive rebounds in the second half,” said coach Morris Hodges. “We need to clean up some things on defense and with our rebounding.”
The Vaqueros open their 12-game WSC North schedule on Wednesday with a 5 p.m. game at Moorpark.
