Imelda Bealer and Brooke Berry aren’t imposing figures but the little guards came up huge Wednesday night in SBCC’s come-from-behind 76-71 women’s basketball victory over L.A. Pierce.
Bealer, a 5-6 sophomore, had a career-high 25 points, 11 rebounds and five steals while Berry, a 5-2 freshman, was all over the court while playing the last 15 minutes without a break at the Sports Pavilion.
Berry finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds (eight offensive) and five steals as the 20th-ranked Vaqueros (14-6, 1-1) overcame an eight-point deficit with 3:32 to play to earn their first WSC North win.
“I just love to play,” said Berry. “We lost our first league game and I did not want to lose the second one. Getting those rebounds is all about timing and wanting the ball.”
SBCC fell behind 22-8 in the first 10 minutes and trailed 36-27 at intermission.
The Vaqueros won despite getting outshot 44 to 28 percent and making just 4-of-25 from 3-point country. Pierce was worse, converting only 1-17 from downtown. Santa Barbara enjoyed a big advantage at the free-throw line, making 24-of-41 compared to 14-17 for the Brahmas.
“Brooke and Imelda really carried us tonight,” said coach Sandrine Krul. “We didn’t have Brooke Amenta (their leading scorer), so it’s nice to see other people step up.”
The Vaqueros were down 67-59 with 3:32 remaining when Bealer made a layup to ignite an 8-0 game-tying run. Bealer scored seven of those points, capped by a three-point play on a baseline drive that tied it at 67 with 1:40 remaining.
Janelle Wong scored 18 points and nailed 3-of-6 from long range, including a triple with 1:03 to play that put SBCC ahead 71-69. Jackelinne Molina tied it with two free throws for the Brahmas (12-7, 2-1).
After a Vaquero miss, Berry caused a Pierce player to travel at midcourt with 27.4 showing. Berry drove for a layup with 16 seconds left that put her team ahead to stay at 73-71.
“Brooke is non-stop energy,“ said Krul. “That’s why we call her ‘The Energizer Bunny.’ “
Five players fouled out for Pierce and the visitors played the final 12.2 seconds with four players.
Bealer missed two free throws at the 12.2-second mark but Jennifer Jimenez (nine points, eight rebounds) grabbed the rebound and hit a free throw to make it 74-71. She missed the second try and Bealer got another offensive board, then nailed two free throws for the final margin.
SBCC will host defending state champion Ventura (14-6, 3-0) on Saturday at 7 p.m
