Rodriguez, Roland Carry Bulldogs to 76-47 Rout in Lady Bulldog Classic Opener

(Santa Maria, CA) Ali Rodriguez was lights-out in the first half as the Allan Hancock College women's basketball beat Lassen 76-47 to close the opening day of the Lady Bulldog Classic on Thursday night. 

The Bulldogs improved to 7-3 on the season and advanced to Friday's semifinals where they face Barstow at 7 p.m.

Rodriguez, a Pioneer Valley High School graduate, was 4 for 5 from three-point range in the first half and 5 for 7 from long-range for the game. The freshman scored 21 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 26 points.

Three other Bulldogs reached double figures in points on the night. Justine Roland enjoyed a dominant second half where she scored 12 of her 17 points in the final twenty minutes of the game. The sophomore added 9 rebounds.

Emma Weinreich recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds on the night. The Arroyo Grande High graduate added 5 assists.

Veronia Sua, a St. Joseph High graduate, came off the bench to pour in 10 points despite an ankle sprain suffered earlier in the week. Lompoc-native Celina Calderon added 8 points for Hancock.

Hancock went on a 17-2 run in the closing five minutes of the first half to carry a 39-21 lead into halftime. Lassen climbed to within 10 points at 42-32 four minutes into the second half, but Hancock regained control and cruised the rest of the way. 

Earlier in the day in a battle of ranked teams, Cuesta edged Saddleback 60-56 to improve to 9-0 on the season. The Cougars, who are ranked 12^th in the state and 7^th in the Southern California Regional poll, were led by sophomore Miriam Zabinsky's 21 points. Mission Prep graduate Kaylee Williams added eight rebounds for the Cougars. Saddleback, which is ranked 18^th in the state, fell to 6-4 on the season.

Santa Barbara built a 40-18 halftime lead over Reedley and cruised 66-49. Tatum Maciel led the Vaqueros with 10 points. Santa Barbara improved to 5-3 and faces Cuesta in the semifinals at 5 p.m. on Friday. Reedley (0-9) battles Saddleback in the consolation bracket at 1 p.m.

Barstow edged Marin 54-53 to move on to the winners' bracket. Megan Miles led the 8-4 Vikings with 19 points, while Bridget Pacchetti poured in 16 to lead 1-5 Marin. Lassen and Marin play in the consolation bracket at 3 p.m. on Friday.

The tournament ends on Saturday with the consolation game set for 1 p.m, the third place game slated for 3 p.m., and the championship game scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Santa Barbara is the defending tournament champion.