Hancock Women Earn 53-46 Come-From-Behind Win over LA Pierce

A 12-0 run to open the fourth quarter pushed the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team to a 53-46 come-from-behind win over visiting L.A. Pierce on Wednesday evening in Joe White Memorial Gymnasium. Hancock improved to 3-2 in Western State conference play and 14-6 overall. L.A. Pierce fell to 0-4 in conference and 2-13 for the season.

Trailing 39-37 to start the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs tied it on a jumper from sophomore forward Michaila Miller. Freshman guard Syenna Ramirez drained a three-pointer to give Hancock its first lead at 42-39 since Ramirez drained a three early in the first quarter to put the Bulldogs ahead 3-2. Kelly McClain scored back-to-back buckets on Hancock possessions and freshman guard Janessa Hernandez hit her career-high third three-point bucket of the game to give Hancock a 49-39 lead with about four minutes to play.

Hancock outscored the Brahmas 16-7 in the final quarter to earn the victory.

Ramirez led the Bulldogs with 17 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists. The St. Joseph High School graduate hit six of 14 shots from the field, including three of six from three-point territory.

Hernandez, a Pioneer Valley High School graduate, scored a career-high 11 points. The freshman made four of 11 overall, including three of eight from beyond the arc. 

McClain came off the bench to finish with 10 points and eight rebounds. The freshman hit four of six free throws and made three of her 10 shots from the floor. Destinee Garcia added four points and a team-high nine rebounds.  Ne'Chelle Martinez added seven points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench for Hancock.

Nichela'e Henderson led the Brahmas with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven steals. She hit eight of 23 from the field. Mylon Jackson added six points and 11 rebounds.

Hancock held Pierce to 28 percent shooting (19 for 68), including 12 percent (2 for 17) from three-point range. Pierce had 42 rebounds, including 15 offensive boards.

The Bulldogs shot 32 percent overall (20 for 62), and hit 23 percent from three-point range (6 for 26). The Bulldogs finished with 39 rebounds, including 14 on the offensive end. 

The Bulldogs fell behind early as Pierce went on a 12-0 run to take a 14-3 lead halfway through the opening quarter. The Brahmas led 20-8 after the first quarter and led 25-9 with 7:53 to go in the first half after Hannah Massey hit a three-pointer.  Hancock went on a 19-5 run to close out the first half behind seven points apiece from Martinez and Ramirez, and five more from Hernandez.

The Bulldogs will host rival Cuesta College on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs are looking for their first win over the Cougars in five years.