No. 13 Hancock Defeats Saddleback 41-35 to Earn Third Place at Lady Bulldog Classic

A 24-3 run during a 13-minute stretch in the first half helped the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team defeat Saddleback 41=35 to earn third place in the annual Lady Bulldog Classic on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 13 in the South Region, improved to 9-2 overall. Saddleback dropped to 5-7. 

Freshman Kelly McClain led the way with 13 points and eight rebounds. She fell two rebounds short of her third straight double-double. McClain was named to the All-Tournament Team. She made six of 18 shots from the field over 34 minutes on the court

Syenna Ramirez added 11 points and six rehounds, including four offensive boards. The freshman added three assists and three steals. The St. Joseph High School graduate made three of 14 shots from the floor, but sank five of seven free throws. 

Destinee Garcia enjoyed another solid all-around game with nine points, 11 rebounds, four steals and six steals. She had four offensive boards and made four of 12 from the field. 

Sophomore Michaila Miller had seven points, six rebounds and two assists for the Bulldogs.

Hancock trailed 6-2 early, but closed out the first quarter on an 8-0 run to carry a 10-6 lead into the second quarter. The Bulldogs outscored Saddleback 16-3 in the first seven minutes of the second quarter to build a 26-13 halftime lead. 

Saddleback stormed out in the second half and outscored Hancock 11-4 in the third quarter. Saddleback eventually climbed to within two points, 37-35, with 2:33 to play. However, the Bulldogs' Garcia scored a bucket to make it a four-point game to provide breathing room. Hancock made two out of four free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Hancock struggled from the field and shot 28 percent by making 16 of 57 shots from the floor. They hit eight of 12 from the free throw line. 

The Bulldogs held Saddleback to 30 percent shooting overall. Saddleback made 14 of 47 shots overall and two of 10 from three-point range.

The Bulldogs won the rebound battle 36 to 34 and forced 25 turnovers they cashed into 20 points. Hancock turned the ball over 16 times that resulted in eight Saddleback points.

Irma Ealy recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Hannah Saliba had nine points and 13 boards.

Siskiyous defeated Lassen 86-53 to win the championship. Siskiyous improved to 12-0, while Lassen dropped to 7-7.  Melissa Dailey's 22 points led a contingent of six Siskiyous players with 10 or more points.