Hancock Women's Basketball Opens Cuesta Tournament with 64-44 Win Over San Diego City

The Allan Hancock College women's basketball team opened its quest for a third straight Phillips 66 Invitational championship with a 64-44 win over San Diego City College Thursday at Cuesta College. The Bulldogs improved to 3-2, while the Knights dropped to 1-6.

Hancock will face American River in the championship semifinals of the 34th annual Phillips 66 Invitational on Friday at 4 p.m. American River, ranked No. 9 in the Northern California Preseason Poll, defeated Monterey Peninsula in the first round on Thursday to improve to 5-2.

Five Bulldogs scored 10 or more points led by sophomore Grace Rosa. The Paso Robles High School graduate poured in 18 points, 12 came in the second half. Rosa scored eight points in the third quarter to help Hancock extend 30-19 halftime lead into a 47-28 advantage after three quarters. Rosa finished with eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

Taylor Lee-Hammer and Karly Beyers scored 12 points each. Lee-Hammer scored eight of her points in the second quarter when Hancock outscored the Knights 21-11. Beyers drained three 3-point buckets for the Bulldogs to go with nine rebounds and four assists. Lee-Hammer finished with five assists and two steals.

Freshman Brianna Rubalcaba scored a career-high 11 points, while sophomore Hannah Walls added 10 points and nine rbeounds for Hancock.

The Bulldogs shot 48 percent from the field on 26-for-54 shooting.