Mercedes Gonzalez grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds on Wednesday but SBCC fell short in a 51-47 loss to Cypress in the opening round of the Grossmont Holiday Tournament at El Cajon.
The Vaqueros (5-9) were missing two of their key players. Jennifer Jimenez and Katie Grande missed the game due to illness and a family matter.
SBCC shot 26 percent in the first half but still led 20-19. They used an 8-0 run to take their biggest lead at 38-32 on back-to-back buckets by Gonzalez with 9:30 to play.
Cypress (9-6), ranked No. 15 in Southern Cal, responded with a 9-2 burst and took a 41-40 advantage with just under two minutes left. The Vaqueros never led again.
Keia Nobles hit 6-10 from the field and led the Vaqueros with 12 points and five rebounds. Gonzalez and Elia Salazar had eight points each and Salazar nabbed 11 rebounds.
Leslie Steele and Sara Crane had five assists apiece while Gonzalez and Crane each had four steals.
“We’re getting better and I think the break did us good,” said coach Sandrine Krul. “We’ve been facing good teams and we’ve battled them all the way.”
SBCC hit 32.3 percent (20-62) for the game and missed all 15 of its 3-point tries. The Chargers shot 27.3 percent but made 12 more free throws, converting 19-28 compared to 7-17 for the Vaqueros.
Santa Barbara will take on Mt. San Jacinto, ranked eighth in the state with an 11-3 record, on Thursday at 1 p.m.
