Bulldogs Fall 107-95 to San Diego in Playoff Opener

Five Bulldogs scored in double figures, but the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team lost 107-95 at San Diego City College in the first round of the Southern California Regionals on Wednesday night. Hancock, which received the 20^th seed in the region, finished the season 16-14 under first-year head coach Tyson Aye.

San Diego, the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference champion, improved to 21-8 on the season. The Knights advance to Saturday's second round when they will play at #4 Chaffey.

Kadeem Minor led Hancock with a season-high 20 points on 6 for 12 shooting from the field. Josh Varney scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half. The sophomore made 11 of his 15 free throw attempts. 

Isaiah Hicks poured in 15 points and a team-high 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Freshman Andre Miller finished with 14 points despite picking up three fouls in the first five minutes of the game. Warren Dix added 10 points.

The Bulldogs shot 40.6 percent in the game on 28 for 69 shooting. They hit 6 of their 21 shots from 3-point range for a 28.6 percent mark. Hancock shot 43 free throws and made 33 of them for a 76.7 percentage.

Five Knights scored 12 or more points in the victory led by Martin Thomas, who finished with 22 points and seven assists. Ivan Kulkin added a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Mike Scott finished with 18 points.

San Diego shot 48.7 percent in the game on 37 for 76 shooting. The Knights were 9 for 20 from 3-point range and 24 for 30 (80 percent) from the charity stripe. 

Hancock took an early 3-1 lead on three points from Varney. However, San Diego went on a 19-5 run over the next six minutes fueled by 3-point shots from Thomas and Flamer. The Knights buried eight of their 14 shots from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes to take a 46-31 lead into halftime. Hancock shot 32 percent in the first half and went 0-6 from 3-point range. San Diego scored 15 points in the first half off nine Hancock turnovers.

The Bulldogs climbed to within 11 points a few minutes into the second half after Hicks buried a 3-pointer from the wing. But Hancock could not get any closer.

The Bulldogs committed 18 turnovers in the game that led to 28 points by the Knights. San Diego turned the ball over 14 times, which led to 17 Hancock points. Hancock won the rebounding battle 45 to 44.

D.J. Billingsley added nine points and six rebounds.