Rodriguez, De La Guerra Lead Bulldogs to 58-45 Win Over Los Medanos at Monterey Tournament

Ali Rodriguez hit four three-pointers on her way to a team-high 18 points and Nicole De La Guerra scored a career-high 16 points as the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team opened the Monterey Peninsula College Tournament with a 58-45 win over Los Medanos on Thursday evening.

Hancock improved to 6-7, while Los Medanos fell to 2-6. Hancock advanced to the championship semifinals where the Bulldogs will play host Monterey at 7 p.m. on Friday. Monterey (8-5) defeated Lassen 66-51 in the first round.

Rodriguez scored 13 of her 18 points in the first half, while De La Guerra scored 12 in the opening 20 minutes to give Hancock a 33-25 lead into halftime. 

De La Guerra finished six for 11 from the floor with five rebounds, three assists and five steals before she picked up her fifth foul. Her previous career-high in points was 13. Rodriguez made seven of 10 from the field, including four of seven from three-point range. The sophomore guard had four assists.

Celina Calderon finished with 10 points and seven assists.  Tashara Pruett had seven points, nine rebounds and three assists.  Marissa Torres added five points.

Hancock shot 52 percent from the field (23-44), including 60 percent from long-range (9-15).