Cuesta outscored SBCC 31-10 in the final 10 minutes of the first half Saturday night and went on to post an 85-73 men’s basketball win in the season finale for both teams at San Luis Obispo.
The Vaqueros (7-20, 3-9 WSC North) made just 23.5 percent in the first half, including 1-13 on 3-pointers. Cuesta (12-17, 3-9) hit 40 percent in the first 20 minutes and led 42-21.
Sophomore Richard Somdah, the No. 8 scorer in the WSC, had 22 points and nine rebounds for Santa Barbara, which dropped its last six games. Chris Vines recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Steven Saenz added 11 points and Scott Burrows had eight.
The Cougars went on a 27-6 run, capped by two straight triples, and took a 34-15 lead with 3:55 to go in the opening half.
The Vaqueros drained 8-13 from long distance in the second half and shot 55 percent to outscore the home team 52-43.
“Our defense was porous in the first half and we dug a deep hole,” said coach Morris Hodges, after finishing his 21st season. “We played a lot better in the second half.”
