Carney and Ricks Lead Hancock to 96-94 Overtime Win Over Ventura and Enter Tie for First Place

Shane Carney scored a career-high 31 points, and Spirit Ricks recorded his fifth double-double of the season to help the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team edge Ventura 96-94 in overtime on Saturday evening to force a tie atop the conference standings. Hancock won its fifth straight to improve to 5-1 in Western State Conference play and 18-8 overall. Ventura moved to 5-1 in league and 17-8 on the year. The two teams are tied for first place with four conference games remaining.

Carney went 11-for-16 from the floor, including a 2-for-5 effort from 3-point range. The sophomore hit all seven of his free throws to finish with 31 points, seven assists and two steals.

Ricks went 10-for-13 from the floor and hit a 3-pointer. He went just 3-for-8 from the line to compile a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. Ricks pulled down five of Hancock's 17 offensive rebounds. Devin Davis finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while freshman Glenn Jordan tallied 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Trenton Mitchell added seven points and nine rebounds. Mitchell and Davis had four offensive rebounds apiece.

Hancock outscored the Pirates 14-12 in the extra period. Jordan hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to put Hancock ahead 91-85 with less than 90 seconds remaining in overtime. The Pirates stayed in the game by burying 3-pointers. Jordan hit one of two shots from the line to give Hancock a 95-91 lead. However, Jacob Alonzo hit a 3-point shot with five seconds left to make it a one-point game. Hancock's Devin Davis drew a foul and hit one of two from the line to provide the two-point margin of victory. Ventura's John Williams' 3-point try on a runner as time expired fell short to hand the Bulldogs a thrilling overtime win.

Hancock's largest lead of the game was a 10-point advantage in the first half. The Bulldogs led 42-39 at halftime behind 16 points from Carney and eight more from Ricks. The Bulldogs shot 56 percent in the first half.

The Bulldogs led 72-64 after a layup by Carney with 5:24 left in regulation. But the Pirates stayed in the game and had an opportunity to win it in the final seconds as Isiah Reyes had two free throws with Hancock leading 82-81. Reyes sank the first to tie it 82-82, but he missed the second forcing it into overtime.

On the day, Hancock shot 54 percent from the field (36-for-66), and went 6-for-11 from 3-point range. The Bulldogs struggled at the line and hit 18 of their 31 free throws or 58 percent. The Bulldogs held a 44-36 edge in rebounds.

Isiah Reyes led the Pirates with 29 points and four steals, while Jacob Alonzo tallied 27 points, while John WIlliams recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Ventura shot 43 percent overall and 28 percent from 3-point range. The Pirates shot 86 percent from the line and sank 19 of their 22 free throws.

The college hosted its annual Carney's Coaches vs. Cancer event on Saturday. Each player and coach presented a rose to someone in the stands in honor of a cancer survivor. The college also presented a check for $3,500 to Marian Regional Medical Center's Mission Hope Cancer Center in a special ceremony. The donation will help the center provide services to local cancer patients and their families. Hancock sponsor, Home Motors Chevrolet, also presented a check for $2,500 to Mission Hope Cancer Center.

The Bulldogs will hit the road Wednesday, Feb 7, to battle Moorpark. The Raiders are 3-3 in league and 10-13 overall. Hancock defeated the Raiders in Santa Maria 73-61 last Wednesday behind double-doubles from Devin Davis and Trenton Mitchell.