Bulldogs Defeat Santa Barbara 63-44, Play Oxnard Saturday for a Share of Conference Title

Lawrence Johnson scored 16 points to lead a quartet of Allan Hancock College men's basketball players in double-figures during the Bulldogs' 63-44 win at Santa Barbara City College on Wednesday evening. The victory and first place Cuesta's 81-64 loss at Moorpark kept the Bulldogs' title hopes alive. Hancock improved to 8-3 in Western State Conference play and 13-12 overall. SBCC dropped to 0-11 in league and 4-19 for the season.

Matt Willkomm buried a three-pointer one second before the buzzer to give Hancock a commanding 39-20 lead at halftime. The Bulldogs shot 48 percent in the first half and made five of 12 from three-point range. SBCC shot 36 percent in the opening 20 minutes.

After the Bulldogs scored the first bucket of the second half to go up 41-20, the Vaqueros went on a 20-5 run to climb to within 46-40 with about 12 minutes to play. Shamel Williams and Johnson helped the Bulldogs regain the momentum and control of the game.

Johnson led the Bulldogs with 16 points on four for six shooting, including two for three from three-point range. He made six of eight free throws. Williams added 14 points by hitting five of eight shots from the floor and four of six from the free throw line. Willkomm finished with 13 points. The freshman guard made five of 15 overall, including three of his 10 three-point shots. Arinze Anakwenze added 10 points, five boards and two blocked shots.

For the game, Hancock made 20 of its 49 shots for a 41 percent mark. The Bulldogs hit six of 20 from long range and 17 of 24 from the free throw line. SBCC held the rebounding edge 39 to 33.

The Vaqueros turned the ball over 20 times which led to 16 Bulldog points. Hancock turned the ball over 12 times which contributed to 13 SBCC points on the board.

Hancock's defense limited the Vaqueros to 34 percent shooting (20 for 59) and just four free throw attempts in the game. SBCC made three of 19 shots from three-point range (16 percent).

Justin Holden led the Vaqueros with 12 points, while Tommy Walker added 10.

Hancock closes the season on Saturday at 3 p.m. when Oxnard visits Joe White Memorial Gymnasium. The Bulldogs can secure a piece of the WSC title with a win over the Condors due to Cuesta's loss on Wednesday night. There is a chance for a three-way tie for first if Hancock wins and L.A. Pierce (8-3 in conference) defeats Santa Barbara on Saturday. Hancock is looking for its first conference title since the 2010-11 season.