Bakersfield jumped out to a 17-5 lead after four minutes on Friday afternoon and went on to beat SBCC 72-56 in a first-round men’s basketball game at the Hancock Holiday Classic in Santa Maria.
The Renegades (5-8) topped Santa Barbara (3-7) for the second straight game and third time this month. Michael Hansen had 12 points and four rebounds for the Vaqueros while Rico Failla added nine points.
Pablo Miranda and Sterling Reed had seven points apiece for the Vaqueros, who trailed 34-29 at the half. SBCC shot 42 percent and was hurt by 26 turnovers that led to 24 points.
“We did a good job of battling back to get within five at the half,” said coach Morris Hodges. “Then we turned it over on three of our first four possessions in the second half and it was uphill from there. Our execution wasn‘t sharp tonight.”
Bakersfield used a 12-4 run to open a 13-point lead (46-33) early in the second half. The Renegades dominated the bench scoring, 44-22.
The Vaqueros will meet Hancock or Rio Hondo on Saturday in a consolation semifinal at 3 p.m.
