Garrick's Three Delivers Thrilling Come-From-Behind Win in Overtime over Santa Barbara in Conference Opener

Allan Hancock College's Marcellus Garrick hit the go-ahead three pointer with seven seconds left in overtime to complete a thrilling come-from-behind 79-77 overtime win over Santa Barbara City College on Wednesday evening. Hancock, the defending Western State Conference co-champion, improved to 9-9 overall and 1-0 in conference action. Santa Barbara dropped to 5-10 overall and 0-1 in league.

To watch video highlights, click here.

Garrick, who missed his first 10 shots from the field, made his only bucket of the game count. His three-pointer gave Hancock a 78-75 lead with seven seconds to go. Hancock elected to foul Santa Barbara with three seconds left. Tejon Williams hit both free throws to make it a one-point game. SBCC fouled Tim Ford with one second remaining and the freshman forward hit one of two free throws. Santa Barbara's last second full-court shot fell short to seal the victory for the Bulldogs.

Hancock overcame a 10-point deficit at 58-48 with 8:05 to play in the second half. Malik Rhodes scored nine points in the final eight minutes of regulation, including the game-tying layup with 12 seconds to play.

Rhodes led all scorers with 28 points. The guard made nine of his 15 shots from the floor, three of seven from three-point range and all seven of his free throws. He added five assists and three steals for the Bulldogs. He sank two free throws in overtime with 1:05 to play to give Hancock its first lead at 75-73 since late in the first half.

Matt Willkomm added 18 points for Hancock on seven for 17 shooting. He sank four his nine shots from three-point range. The sophomore added eight rebounds and three assists.

Shane Carney heated up in the final few minutes of the second half to hit two three-pointers to finish with 11 points. 

Garrick finished one for 11 from the field.  He pulled down 10 rebounds, including four offensive boards.

Ford, a freshman forward for Hancock, came off the bench to pull down a game-high 13 rebounds for Hancock, including eight on the offensive glass. He also scored seven points.

Hancock, which shot 37 percent in the first half and 32 percent in the second half, finished the game at 37 percent. The Bulldogs made 29 of their 78 shots, including four of six in overtime. Hancock made 10 of its 32 shots from three-point range or 31 percent. The Bulldogs sank 11 of 17 from the free-throw line. 

Santa Barbara shot 43 percent from the field on 27 for 62 shooting. The Vaqueros made eight of 24 from three-point territory.

Williams led the Vaqueros with 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Martin Pedersen finished with 16 points for SBCC.

Hancock finished with 42 rebounds, including 17 offensive boards. SBCC compiled 34 rebounds and 17 assists. Hancock committed just six turnovers in the game compared to 11 by SBCC. 

Emilio Gonzalez scored the first four points of the game as Hancock built an early lead. The freshman scored six of his eight points in the first 10 minutes of the game as Hancock built a 26-14 lead midway through the first half. Willkomm and Rhodes each had eight points during that stretch The Vaqueros chipped away and ultimately took a 35-33 lead into halftime. After taking the lead into halftime, SBCC did not trail until the final 90 seconds of overtime.

Hancock will look to carry momentum into Saturday's home game against Oxnard. Tip off will be at 5 p.m. inside Joe White Memorial Gymnasium.