SBCC hung with Sequoias, the state’s No. 2-ranked team, for 27 minutes on Friday before the Giants used a 14-2 run to pull away and post an 87-72 women’s basketball triumph in the opening round of the Antelope Valley Holiday Tournament at Lancaster.
The Vaqueros (3-9) trailed by just four at halftime, 39-35, and were still within four at the 14:35 mark after Andrea Morales hit a bucket to trim the deficit to 48-44. That’s when Sequoias (12-2) went on its 14-2 spurt to boost the lead to 62-46.
Sophomore guard Darla Morales hit 11-of-15 free throws and had a career-high 21 points for Santa Barbara. Victoria Jackson made 6-11 from the field and posted career bests in points (20) and rebounds (10). Andrea Morales added 11 points.
“We played awesome against a strong team,” said coach Sandrine Krul. “It was a 4-to-6 point game, then we turned the ball over a few times. Because we were fouling, the final score doesn’t indicate what a great game it was.”
Alexandria Tobie led the Giants with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Sequoias won the battle of the boards 54-35 and outshot the Vaqueros 41.4 to 37 percent.
SBCC will play Imperial Valley on Saturday in a 3 p.m. consolation semifinal.
