Weinreich and Hancock Chase Down Reedley 70-68 in Home Opener

Emma Weinreich scored 14 of her team-high 21 points in the second half to lead the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team to a thrilling 70-68 victory over Reedley in the Bulldogs' home opener on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs improved to 3-1 under first-year head coach Cary Nerelli. Reedley fell to 0-6 in the preseason.

The Bulldogs erased a 30-26 deficit at halftime behind the play of Weinreich, Veronica Sua and Justine Roland, all sophomore post players. Weinreich and Roland finished with double-doubles. Weinreich, an Arroyo Grande High School product, pulled down 14 rebounds. Roland, a Righetti High graduate, recorded 10 boards to go with 12 points. Sua added 8 points.

Hancock trailed 54-52 with 8:26 to go in the game, but went on a 13-5 run capped by a bucket from Sua to take a 65-59 lead with 4:25 to play. Reedley kept it close and had a chance for the victory with a last-second 3-point shot. But the shot fell well short of the rim and the Bulldogs scored the victory.

Roland scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half to assist in the comeback before she picked up her fifth foul with five minutes to go in the game. Freshman Ali Rodriguez tallied 13 points and added 7 rebounds.

Davina J. Valerio and Celina Calderon added 7 points apiece for the Bulldogs. Hancock had a chance to pull away in the final few minutes, but struggled from the free throw line down the stretch. They made 14 of 26 in the second half for a 53.8 percent mark. The Bulldogs were 22 for 41 in the game for a 53.6 percent clip.

Reedley erased an early 10-5 deficit behind the outside shooting of Keana Kaohimaunu who buried five 3-point baskets in the first half. The Bulldogs contained the sharp-shooting freshman in the second half as she finished with 22 points in the game. Jasmine Stevenson added 13 points and Eboni Surgick scored 14 for Reedley.           

The Bulldogs return to action Tuesday, Dec.3 when West Hills visits Santa Maria. The game is set to begin at 5 p.m.