BAKERSFIELD, CA – Despite not making a three-pointer, the SBCC men's basketball team overcame a double-digit first half deficit on Saturday at Bakersfield to earn its first win of the year 57-55.
The Vaqueros (1-1) were led in scoring by guard Elijah Simpson, who poured in 18 points on an efficient 6-of-9 (.667) shooting line. Freshman forward Aidan Mandel scored 16 on 7-of-12 (.583) from the field to go with eight boards.
An 8-0 run midway through the first half gave the Renegades (0-1) some early separation and a three-pointer in the final minute of the opening half gave them their largest lead 30-20.
However, SBCC would come right back with a strong sequence out of the halftime break led by Simpson. The San Pedro, CA native started things off with a layup on the Vaqueros' first possession and would go on to score 10 points in less than five minutes. His free throws at the 14:53 mark capped a 13-2 Vaquero run, putting the visitors ahead 35-32.
Bakersfield answered with a 9-0 run of its own, but sophomore guard Trevor Lee would get hot from there. Lee hit three straight jumpers to help keep SBCC in it on his way to a career-high 12 points (5/7 FG).
The Vaqueros still found themselves trailing by four with under six minutes to go. Simpson converted another layup and fellow sophomore guard Jaelen Bates hit two straight jumpers of his own to give his team a slim 54-52 advantage.
In the final seconds, Santa Barbara led by just a point and sent Rahmel Davis to the line with three seconds left and a chance to win the game. Davis missed both free throws though, and wouldn't get another shot before the final buzzer.
The Vaqueros are no strangers when it comes to a lack of reliance on the three ball, but this was their first game without hitting a single three since Dec. 2, 2016. They attempted just eight on the night and were significantly better in field goal percentage – 44.0 to 37.3 percent – and at the charity stripe, where they were an efficient 13-of-16 (.813) compared to Bakersfield's 5-of-15 (.333).
Santa Barbara will play again next Saturday at Cerro Coso at 2:00 p.m.
