Freshmen Trio and Torres Lead Bulldogs To 60-35 Season-Opening Win Over Porterville

Sophomore Marissa Torres and a trio of freshman, led by Santa Maria native Syenna Ramirez, scored 11 or more points to lead the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team to a convincing 60-35 season-opening win over Porterville on Friday. The Bulldogs led from start to finish and led by as many as 27-points in the second half to start the season 1-0 under third-year head coach Cary Nerelli.

Ramirez, a St. Joseph High School graduate, scored a game-high 18 points. She made seven of 12 shots from the floor, including three of five from three-point range. Ramirez scored eight straight points for the Bulldogs in the first half to help Hancock carry a 30-18 lead into halftime. Hancock shot 50 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.

Destinee Garcia, a Golden West High School graduate, recorded a double-double in her first college game. The freshman finished with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, four of her boards were on the offensive end. She added three steals and three assists.

Freshman forward Kelly McClain added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench. She made four of five shots from the free throw line and pulled down four offensive rebounds to go with two steals and two assists.

Torres, a Templeton High School graduate, made four of her seven shots from the floor, including both of her attempts from beyond the arc. Torres finished with 11 points, five assists and three rebounds.

Sophomore forward Michaila Miller, a Santa Barbara High School graduate, added eight points, four rebounds and a game-high four steals. Freshman Ne'Chelle Martinez started and finished with four assists and two rebounds.

The Bulldogs finished with 34 rebounds, 15 were offensive boards, compared to 25 total rebounds form Porterville. Hancock finished with a 21 to six edge in second-chance points. The Bulldogs compiled 17 assists and 11 steals.

Hancock finished 24 for 53 from the field for a 45 percent mark overall, including a six for 10 effort from three-point range. The Bulldogs made six of 11 shots from the free-throw line. Porterville shot 35 percent in the game at 16 for 45.

Marisa  Lopez led Porterville with 10 points.

Hancock returns to action on Satuday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. inside Joe White Memorial Gymnasium against West Hills-Lemoore. Santa Barbara City College will play West Hills Friday afternoon at Hancock. SBCC will battle Porterville at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Hancock's gymnasium.