STRONG SECOND HALF PUSHES EL CAMINO PAST BAKERSFIELD MEN

Henry Galinato scores two of his 14 points on a dunk in the second half of Friday's non-conference loss to El Camino.
Henry Galinato scores two of his 14 points on a dunk in the second half of Friday's non-conference loss to El Camino.

The Bakersfield College Men's Basketball team (9-8) finished the first half strong but El Camino College (5-11) made half time adjustments and pounded away with a relentless five man rotation to issue BC a 104-87 loss Friday night in the Gil Bishop Sports Center.

"They just continually come at us, and we couldn't get over the hump. We had a good run in the first half, and then we'd make a mistake or turn it over and they'd capitalize," Coach Rich Hughes said. 

Henry Galinato chipped in his second straight double-double in as many games with a 14 point 14 rebound night, on seven of 10 shooting from the field. 

Jamar Hammonds led all scorers with 34 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome team-wide ball control issues as the 'Gades coughed up 30 turnovers to El Camino's 27 (23, plus four team TOs)

"We're kind of stumbling in (to league play), we've struggled a little bit, especially with the turnovers. That's been a real problem, but I know our guys, and I think we were ready to play tonight, but stylewise, I don't think we play well against teams like that. Some people call that an excuse, but it is one of those things; we play better with teams that are more half-court oriented, and most of the teams in league play are like that," Hughes said. 

Bakersfield plays Cerritos College (14-4) at LA Southwest College Saturday night in the Renegades' final non-conference tilt before league play begins at home, Wednesday, January 17th at 7pm against LA Pierce College (5-13).