SBCC made just 26 percent from the field and 34 percent from the free-throw line on Thursday in a 58-44 women’s basketball loss to San Joaquin Delta in the first round of the Sequoias Invitational.
The Vaqueros (3-3) converted just 14-of-41 from the charity stripe against the No. 7-ranked team from Northern California. They also committed 40 turnovers. Despite that, Santa Barbara trailed by just six or seven points most of the game before having to foul in the final minutes.
“They send us to the line 41 times and I don’t understand how we can’t make more free throws,” said coach Sandrine Krul. “You have to take advantage of opportunities.”
Leslie Steele led the Vaqueros with nine points while Mercedes Gonzalez and Keia Nobles had eight. Sara Crane grabbed seven rebounds and Nobles had six.
“The great thing about a tournament is you get to come back the next day and fix your shooting problems,” said Krul.
The Vaqueros will battle Riverside at 6 p.m. on Friday in the consolation quarterfinals of the 16-team tournament.
