Big second half carries Hancock past Vaqueros

Hancock opened the second half on an 18-4 spurt on Saturday and went on to beat SBCC 83-43 in a WSC North men's basketball game at Santa Maria.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Bulldogs (9-10, 4-1), who outscored the visitors 50-14 in the second half and outshot them 54.3 to 33.3 percent. Hancock hit 51 percent for the game and held the Vaqueros to 39 percent.

SBCC had 20 turnovers in the second half and 31 for the game, leading to 50 points.

Arinze Anakwenze and Lawrence Johnson led the Bulldogs with 17 points apiece. Hancock made 16 steals and had just 11 turnovers.

Thomas Walker had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Vaqueros (4-13, 0-5). Sean Keyes added 10 points on 3-4 3-point shooting and Julian Lofton had nine.

Santa Barbara took a 24-23 lead in the first half but Hancock responded with a 10-0 run. The Vaqueros scored the final five points on a layup by Alonzo McCain, a free throw by Alex Koutroubis and a jumper by Walker that pulled them within four, 33-29, at halftime.

SBCC committed seven turnovers in the first eight minutes of the second half and Hancock got hot with its 18-4 streak, stretching the lead to 51-33. Another 10-2 run expanded the deficit to 26 points (61-35) with 7:36 remaining.

The Vaqueros will host L.A. Pierce (4-1 WSC) on Wednesday at 5 p.m.