Leopardi, Garcia Lead Lady Bulldogs to 65-64 Victory Over L.A. Harbor for Fifth Straight Win

Naomi Leopardi set career highs with 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Destinee Garcia scored a season-best 17 points to help the Allan Hancock College women's basketball team top L.A. Harbor 65-54 to close the annual Lady Bulldog Classic on Saturday. After securing its fifth straight win, Hancock improved to 7-2 and dropped Harbor to 6-5. The Bulldogs also avenged a nine-point loss to the Seahawks earlier in the season.

Leopardi went 8-for-10 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line to finish with 18 points. During her first career double-double, the freshman pulled down 15 rebounds, including four on the offensive end. Garcia, who recorded a double-double on Friday, made eight of her 11 shots to go with seven rebounds and two steals.

Freshman center Grace Rosa finished with nine points, six rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists. Sophomore guard Syenna Ramirez scored six points, and added eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Karly Beyers came off the bench to hit two 3-point buckets on her way to eight points and four rebounds.

Overall, Hancock went 24-for-60 (40 percent) from the field and 15-for-24 on free throws (62.5 percent). The Bulldogs limited Harbor to 32 percent shooting from the field. They also outrebounded the Seahawks 44 to 29.

The Bulldogs fell behind 9-6 in the first quarter, but went on a 10-1 run in the final 4:30 to carry a 16-10 lead into the second quarter. The Seahawks scored the first four points in the quarter to climb to within 16-14, but the Bulldogs closed out the half on an 18-3 run capped by two 3-pointers from Beyers. Ramirez had five assists in the second quarter alone to help the Bulldogs carry a 34-17 lead into halftime.  

The Bulldogs will return to action Thursday, December 15, at a tournament hosted by Monterey Peninsula College. Hancock will open at 1 p.m. against Modesto (5-2).