No.9 Bulldogs Drop Season Opener 76-60 to No.2 Chaffey

Despite leading by 12 points with 12 minutes to play, the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team dropped a 76-60 decision to Chaffey College on Friday to open the 2014-15 season at the Cuesta/Rabobank invitational. 

Lavell White led the Bulldogs with 16 points by hitting six of his 14 shots from the floor. The Polk State transfer added six rebounds and three assists. The Bulldogs, who are ranked ninth in the Southern California Regional Preseason Coaches Poll, dropped to 0-1 and face Mendocino in the consolation semifinals Saturday at 1 p.m.

Chaffey, which is ranked No.2 in the region and fourth in the state, improved to 1-0 and advanced to Saturday's winners' bracket where the Panthers will face Sequoias.

Hancock sophomoe Lawrence Johnson added 10 points and six rebounds. He hit all six of his free throws and went two for seven from the floor. Sophomore point guard Andre Miller and freshman Shamel Williams had nine points apiece. Miller, who led the Western State Conference in assists last season, dished out two assists and had four rebounds. Kadeem Miller led the team with seven rebounds to go with seven points and four assis 

Freshman Matt Willkomm finished with five points. The Arroyo Grande High School graduate made one of his four shots from three-point range and buried two of his three free throws. 

The Bulldogs trailed 33-32 at halftime after hitting 12 of their 28 shots from the floor. They made 18 of their 49 shots on the night for a 36.7 percentage, while they sank three of 15 from beyond-the-arc. They struggled at the free throw line and made 21 of 36 attempts for a 58.5 percentage.

Chaffey hit 27 of its 61 shots (44.2 %), five of its 19 three-point shots (26.3%) and 17 of 25 free throws (68%). Chaffey outrebounded Hancock 32-30.

Five Panthers scored 10 or more points led by Carl Robinson, who had 13 points.