Fresno City took control with a 29-7 first-half run on Sunday afternoon and went on to defeat SBCC 85-46 in the opening round of the Hancock Holiday Classic in Santa Maria.
Jaffery Stillman had a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) for the No. 9 Rams, who improved to 14-3 with their fifth straight win. Fresno hit 45.5 percent from the field, including 12-32 from the 3-point arc. The Rams outscored the Vaqueros 36-9 from downtown. SBCC made 35.4 percent overall and committed 25 turnovers, leading to 28 points.
Sean Keyes topped the Vaqueros (4-6) with 11 points and a season-high eight rebounds. The 6-3 freshman from Inglewood has scored 11 or more points in seven straight games.
Ty Cleland added 10 points off the bench, Justin Holden had eight points and Wallace Baker-Mason collected seven boards.
SBCC took its only lead at 5-3 on a 3-pointer by Keyes. Fresno went on a 29-7 run and built a 32-12 advantage with 9:22 to go in the first half. The Rams led 42-22 at intermission.
The Vaqueros will take on WSC North rival Cuesta in Monday’s first consolation semifinal at 1 p.m.
