Nerelli Wins Hancock Debut Behind Red-Hot Rodriguez

Freshman guard Ali Rodriguez scored a game-high 36 points to lead the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team to a season-opening 67-46 win at Taft on Tuesday night. After winning more than 400 games as the varsity girl's head coach at Morro Bay High, Cary Nerelli won his Hancock coaching debut.

Rodriguez, a Pioneer Valley High School graduate, scored 24 points in the first half. On the night, Rodriguez buried five 3-point baskets and made all nine of her free throw attempts.

Emma Weinreich, a 6-foot-1, sophomore transfer from the University of North Dakota, added 10 points. The Arroyo Grande High School graduate was a perfect 6 for 6 from the charity stripe. Overall, the Bulldogs made 24 of their 31 free throw shots for a 77 percent mark. 

Righetti High School graduate and sophomore forward Justine Roland added 9 points.

The Bulldogs carried a 40-21 lead into halftime and outscored Taft 27-25 in the final twenty minutes of the game.

Hancock returns to action Friday, Nov. 15 at the College of Sequoias Crossover. The Bulldogs play Glendale Community College at 5 p.m.