Comeback Falls Short, Lady Bulldogs Fall 59-49 to Moorpark

Despite a double-double from sophomore forward Destinee Garcia, the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team fell 59-49 at Moorpark in a Western State Conference game Wednesday evening. The Bulldogs dropped to 0-2 in Western State Conference play and 11-7 overall. The Raiders improved to 2-0 in conference and 14-7 on the season. 

Garcia and Taylor Lee-Hammer paced the Bulldogs with 12 points apiece. Garcia was 5-for-13 from the field and sank both of her free throws. The sophomore had 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. She recorded her third double-double of the season. Lee-Hammer connected on 4-of-8 shots from the field, including a 2-for-6 effort from 3-point range. The freshman tallied six rebounds and two steals.

Karly Beyers added nine points behind a 3-for-8 effort from 3-point range. The Pioneer Valley High School graduate added four rebounds and two assists. Grace Rosa hit 4-of-9 from the floor to finish with eight points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Syenna Ramirez added seven points, five assists, and four rebounds. Ramirez went 2-for-12 overall. 

Hancock shot 31 percent in the opening quarter and trailed 13-11 after the first 10 minutes. Moorpark outscored Hancock 15-7 in the second quarter and outshot the Bulldogs 50 percent to 19 percent to carry a 28-18 lead into the break. The Bulldogs' offense picked up immediately in the second half as Ramirez and Lee-Hammer hit 3-pointers, and Rosa hit bucket inside to open the third quarter and cut the deficit to two points. Moorpark still maintained a 37-32 edge at the end of the third quarter. A 3-pointer by Beyers brought Hancock to within one point, 39-38, with 6:42 to play. However, Moorpark answered with a 3-pointer of its own and started to pull away with about two minutes to play.

Hancock finished the game 18-for-55 from the field for a 32.7 percent mark. The Bulldogs shot 26 percent from 3-point range by connecting on six of their 23 shots. The Bulldogs held the edge on rebounds at 41-32.

Moorpark shot 42 percent from the floor and sank 57 percent of its 28 free throws.

The Bulldogs committed 19 turnovers that led to 20 Moorpark points off turnovers. The Raiders turned the ball over 14 times that led to nine Hancock points. The Moorpark bench outscored Hancock's 24 to 12.

Three Raiders scored 10 or more points led by Emma Johnson who had 11 points. Vanessa Desimone and Kasey Nilsen had 10 points apiece.

The Bulldogs will look to get back on track at home Saturday, January 21, at 5 p.m. when Santa Barbara City College visits Joe White Memorial Gymnasium.