Second-Half Comeback Falls Short, Hancock Falls 99-92 to Santa Barbara in Home Motors Semifinals

Dominic Jackson scored a career-high 18 points to lead a quartet of Bulldogs in double figures, but the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team fell 99-92 to Santa Barbara City College in the semifinals of the Bulldogs' Home Motors Tournament on Saturday. Hancock dropped to 4-4, while Santa Barbara improved to 2-3. Hancock will face San Diego City College in the third place game at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Santa Barbara will battle Yuba at 5 p.m. in the championship game.

The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 31 points, 73-42 with 14:13 to play before gaining momentum and climbing to within 10 at 89-78 with 2:47 to play. The Vaqueros were able to withstand the Bulldogs and held on for the victory. Hancock outscored SBCC 62-45 in the second half.

Jackson led the Bulldogs with 18 points on seven-for-eight shooting from the field. He sank four of five from the free-throw line. Shane Carney scored 16 points on five for 10 shooting. The sophomore guard sank three of eight from 3-point range to go with three assists and two steals. Marcellus Garrick hit eight of 10 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. Freshman Troy Parker added 10 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench. Nolan Willett came off the bench to add eight points, while Shemarr Parker finished with nine points and three boards.

Kevawn Lord hit a free throw with 6:39 left in the first half to bring Hancock to within 32-26. The Vaqueros outscored Hancock 22-4 the rest of the way to carry a 54-30 lead into halftime. SBCC shot 65 percent and forced 11 Hancock turnovers in the first half.  Robert Hutchins and Jesse DeVries hit seven field goals apiece. DeVries had 16 points and Hutchins had 19 points, seven assists and five steals at intermission.

Hutchins finished with 31 points, nine assists and seven steals to lead the Vaqueros.  DeVries added 22 points, and Calvin "Josh" Chapital chipped in 14 points.

Hancock shot 53 percent overall by connecting on 32 of its 60 shots. The Bulldogs also hit 22 of their 34 free throws or 65 percent. The Vaqueros shot 57 percent overall from the field.

Santa Barbara forced 22 turnovers that they turned into 29 points. Hancock forced 14 miscues that resulted in 14 points.