SBCC started off the new year in style with a 62-54 women’s basketball victory over Rio Hondo in the final nonconference game at Whittier.
Sophomore guard Andrea Morales scored 11 of her game-high 16 points in the first half for the Vaqueros (5-10). Alyssa Cosio, a freshman from Santa Barbara High, added 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Vaqueros took a 33-22 halftime lead after Cosio drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“That really gave us some momentum,” said coach Sandrine Krul. “We had our running game going and we played really hard. We got lots of 50-50 balls.
“Our press gave them problems and we hit some shots in the last seven minutes after they got within eight.”
Victoria Jackson had nine points, five rebounds and five steals and Darla Morales contributed eight points, a season-high 10 rebounds and four assists. Mizhrua Bautista and Paige Nealy added six rebounds each.
SBCC made just 24.2 percent from the field (23-95) but took 33 more shots. The Vaqueros made 14 steals and only had seven turnovers.
Alexis Hernandez topped the Roadrunners (8-9) with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Santa Barbara opens WSC North play on Saturday with a 5 p.m. game at Oxnard, following a 3 p.m. contest between the SBCC and Oxnard men.
