SBCC used a full-court press to rally within a point of Butte on Wednesday in the opening round of the Hancock Holiday Classic before going cold in the final seven minutes of a 60-54 men’s basketball defeat.
The Vaqueros, playing their first game in 18 days, trailed 51-50 with 7:11 to play and then went more than six minutes without a point. Santa Barbara (2-11) was outscored 9-4 to end the game.
Butte, which led 34-29 at intermission, hit 50 percent from the field while the Vaqueros shot 32 percent. JP Dodson led Santa Barbara with 11 points.
The Vaqueros will meet Rio Hondo or Hancock on Thursday at 3 p.m.
