Coach Aye Scores First Win, Bulldogs Upset Giants in Season Opener

Coach Aye Scores First Win, Bulldogs Upset Giants in Season Opener
November 8, 2013

One game into his first season as head coach of the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team, Tyson Aye captured his first victory. The Bulldogs opened the 2013-14 season with a 74-54 win over the College of Sequoias Friday to open the 45th annual Rabobank Classic hosted by Cuesta College.

Freshman guard Teyvon Myers led the Bulldogs with a game-high 23 points, including 16 points on four baskets from three-point range in the first half. The native of Brooklyn, New York shined in his first game on an organized basketball team in three years. Myers made 6 of his 12 shots from the floor, including a 4 for 7 mark from beyond the arc. He also drained 7 of his 10 free throw attempts.

Sophomore forward DJ Billingsley added 8 points and a game-best 13 rebounds. Myers and Billinglsey combined for 24 points in the first 20 minutes of the game to help Hancock erase an early 9-2 deficit and take a 37-23 lead into halftime.
Josh Varney came off the bench to record a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore was a perfect 6 for 6 from the floor. Freshman Andre Miller added 7 points, 3 assists and 2 steals. Marquis Rivera finished with 5 points. 

Hancock shot 47 percent from the floor by making 24 of its 51 shots. The Giants fouled the Bulldogs repeatedly in the second half to try to get back into the game. Hancock made 22 of its 37 free throws for a 59 percent clip at the charity stripe. The Bulldogs also outrebounded the Giants 43-22.

The Giants entered the season ranked #5 in the Northern California preseason poll issued by the California Community College Athletic Association. The Bulldogs limited the Giants on the offensive side of the ball. Sequoias made just 23 of its 65 shots from the floor for a 35 percent clip. The Giants were just 3 of 16 from long distance for a 19 percent mark.

Hancock advances to the championship semifinal where it will face Bakersfield on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. Bakersfield edged Mendocino 65-63 in the first round. The three-day tournament ends on Sunday with the championship game set for 5 p.m..