SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Santa Barbara City College Men's Basketball team won their opening game on Wednesday night, a home win over El Camino.
"First games are always interesting in that most teams are still trying to figure out who they are," head coach Devin Engebretsen said. "We found out a little more about us and that we have to be great at the defensive end of the floor."
The Vaqueros were just that, holding El Camino to a 32% field goal percentage and just a 19% 3-point percentage.
The offense was excellent, as well, beginning with 13 first half points from freshman David Coniglio. At halftime, SBCC led 35-24.
The Vaqueros continued to control the flow of the game in the second half, taking a 54-30 lead with 12 minutes remaining. Their lead would never dip below 15 points from there, as they again scored 35 in the second half to win 70-52.
Aidan Mandel led SBCC scorers in the second half with 14 points, finishing with 20 on the night, also leading the team. David Coniglio ended up with 17. Mandel led the team in rebounds, too, collecting 8.
Isaiah Hicks finished with 4 assists and 12 points, while Tyler Williams and freshman Ethan Boness dished 3. Truman Teuber led all bench scorers with 10 points, including 2 threes, and played great defense, too.
Offensively, the Vaqueros as a team had a 50-40-90 night, shooting 52% from the field, 43% from three, and not missing a single free throw, going 11 for 11 (100%).
Engebretsen lauded the defensive efforts of his players, particularly Aidan Mandel, Tyler Williams, and Truman Teuber.
"Aidan Mandel had a great game defensively changing shots including 3 blocks. ... Tyler Williams is our Mr. Everything, playing virtually every spot on the floor and defending the opposition's 1 through 5," he added.
The 1-0 Vaqueros look to continue their hot hand but will have to wait a week for their next game, a home match on Wednesday night against Bakersfield.
(images below courtesy of Zoe Neumer)
