Vaqs Cap Crossover with Seventh Straight Win

By: Aj Nagbe

FULLERTON, Calif. — The Vaqueros survived a back-and-forth battle with Fullerton, pulling away late for a 68-61 victory on Saturday night to cap a perfect 3-0 week at the Colleen Riley Holiday Crossover and extend their win streak to seven games.

Kaylee Lawson led the way with 22 points on 6-of-16 shooting, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Milan Jackson added 14 points, while Amarisse Camargo posted 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Aariah Fox chipped in 8 points and 9 rebounds as three Vaqueros reached double figures in the hard-fought victory.

The game featured nine lead changes and five ties in a tightly contested battle between two evenly matched teams.

The Vaqueros built a seven-point lead in the third quarter but watched Fullerton fight back before SBCC took control in the fourth, outscoring the Hornets 19-9 in the final period to seal the victory.

Coach Sandrine Krul emphasized the team's resiliency and character following the grueling week at the Colleen Riley Holiday Crossover.

"We ended the week 5-0, we are on a seven-game winning streak, and we ended the nonconference season 11-5," Krul said. "That was our fifth game in six days, and if you walked into that gym, you would not have even thought we played five games in six days. This team stayed resilient. Taking down Fullerton, Saddleback, Santa Ana, Porterville, and Riverside in a week is all about resiliency, and that's what sports are all about." 

Krul highlighted the collective mindset that has defined the team's success.

"This team doesn't have an ego, which is so big in a team sport," she said. "Sports reveal character and build character. Giving up personal glory for team wins is beyond special. When one player is not doing well, another player steps up. Players on the bench come in and play three or four minutes, and it's about efficiency and how can I help my team."

She also noted the significance of competing against top-level competition throughout the week. "In a week, we played four Orange Empire teams and won. We defeated Santa Ana, Saddleback, Riverside, and Fullerton," Krul said. "The Orange Empire Conference is the strongest conference in Southern California. Playing the top teams in the state, 14 games on the road, it's about resiliency. You cannot ask for a better ending to the nonconference season."

Looking ahead to conference play, Krul expressed pride in the team's commitment to the culture.

"We started December 4-5, and this team didn't look at the record. They kept to the tenets of team basketball," she said. "We start conference on January 7 with another road game at Moorpark. I'm just really proud of this team, one through 13. Because of the culture, they're so bought in. It's special."

Santa Barbara (11-5) opens Western State Conference play on the road against Moorpark on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m.