Roland, Sua, Rodriguez Lead Bulldogs to 75-72 Upset at Canyons

Roland, Sua, Rodriguez Lead Bulldogs to 75-72 Upset at Canyons
February 22, 2014

Justine Roland scored 19, Veronica Sua recorded a double-double and Ali Rodriguez poured in 18 points as the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team ended the season with a 75-72 victory at College of the Canyons on Saturday.

The Bulldogs finished their first season under head coach Cary Nerelli 3-9 in Western State Conference play and 13-14 overall.  The 13 wins represent the program's largest win total since 2003.

Hancock shot 50 percent in the first half and carried a 42-29 lead into the intermission. Canyons made a run in the second half, especially after the Roland, Sua and Emma Weinreich, the Bulldogs' only three inside post players, fouled out of the game. Rodriguez, sophomore Davina J. Valerio and company stepped up down the stretch to solidify the win.

Roland, a sophomore, made 9 of her 14 shots from the floor and one of her four free throw attempts. She added seven rebounds. Sua made 6 of 13 from the field and three of her seven free throws to finish with 15 points. The St. Joseph High School graduate added three steals and a team-high 12 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. Weinreich, an Arroyo Grande High School graduate, returned from a three game absence due to a concussion to add seven points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

Valerio added nine points, three assists and five rebounds. Rodriguez, a freshman from Pioneer Valley High School, was 3 for 8 from 3-point territory and 7 for 16 from the floor overall.  Celina Calderon added seven points and a team-high six assists.

The Bulldogs won despite making just 11 of their 23 free throw attempts, which equated to 47.8 percent. They converted 50 percent of their field goals (30 for 60), and went 4 for 11 from 3-point range.

Hancock committed 22 turnovers and forced Canyons to turn the ball over 16 times.

Canyons shot 40.4 percent from the field (23-57) and 17.2 percent (5-29) from long-range. Keiona Mathews led Canyons with 35 points, while Shawn Kolani added 19. Canyons finished the season 13-14 overall and 7-5 in conference action. Canyons finished tied for third with Cuesta in the conference standings.