Hancock Women Lose at No.1 Ventura 70-49

Playing with just seven players and without leading scorer Ali Rodriguez, who missed the game with a sprained ankle, the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team dropped a 70-49 Western State Conference game at top ranked Ventura College on Wednesday night.

Hancock lost its third-straight game and fell to 0-3 in WSC play and 10-8 overall. Ventura, which has won 23-straight conference titles, improved to 2-0 in WSC action and 17-3 for the season.

Ventura, which is ranked No.1 in California and in the Southern California Regional, shot 60 percent in the first half on 12 for 20 shooting, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range. Hancock trailed 38-24 at intermission.

Ventura shot 52.3 percent for the game on 23 for 44 shooting. They made 9 of 26 from beyond-the-arc. Hancock was 19 for 52 from the floor for a 36.5 percentage. The Bulldogs were 4 for 12 from 3-point range.

Three Bulldogs scored 11 or more points in the game led by Celina Calderon, who finished with 13 points. The Lompoc High graduate was 4 for 8 from 3-point range before she fouled out of the game. Justine Roland added 11 points and five rebounds, while Veronica Sua added 12 points and five boards.  Emma Weinreich, a sophomore, chipped in with eight points.

Hancock made just seven of its 14 free throws on the night, while Ventura made 15 of 19 for a 78.9 percent mark.

Cynthia Hernandez went 6 for 15 from 3-point range for Ventura to finish with a game-high 23 points. Lisa Marie Sanchez added 13 points and seven assists, while Brooke Dixon recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Hancock looks to snap a three-game slide next Wednesday, Jan.22, when it hosts LA Pierce at 5 p.m. followed by the men at 7 p.m. The Hancock women will try to snap a conference losing streak of 14-games.