Vaqueros Come Up Just Short in Tightly Contested Overtime vs. Mission

Isabella Jensen Williams
Isabella Jensen Williams

SANTA MARIA – Point guard Katrina Regalado scored the final three points of regulation, taking a steal all the way for the game-tying layup with 15 seconds on the clock. However, with a second left in overtime, Mission scored two free throws to hand the Vaqueros a slim 65-64 defeat on day two of the Toys for Tots Tournament at Allan Hancock College.

Guard Isabella Jensen Williams led Santa Barbara with 18 points (8-16 FG), three shy of a season-high. She also notched her third double-double of the year with 10 rebounds. Point guard Katrina Regalado had a bounce back performance with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

The Vaqueros (3-6) showed their resilience after being doubled up at halftime 34-17. The Mission lead went as high as 19 points, but a 10-0 SBCC run midway through the third cut the deficit to just six at 41-35. Forward Lia Rodriguez contributed to the run with four of her season-high 12 points off the bench. She also had eight rebounds.

The fourth quarter and overtime saw eight ties and four lead changes. A Regalado jumper to make it 49-49 with 7:12 remaining in the fourth, and a Trinity Scott layup gave the Vaqueros their first lead 51-50 with 5:47 remaining.

Jensen Williams made a layup with 40 seconds left in overtime to tie it at 63-63, and the Vaqueros took their first lead of the extra period on a free throw from guard Janet Arias with seven seconds to go. However, the foul in the final moments put Mission's Anna Neeley at the line for the game-winning free throws.

Guard/forward Isabella Favazzo roundd out the Vaqueros' double-digit scorers with 10 points. It was her first time reaching double-figures in 2021.