SANTA CLARITA, CA – The SBCC men's basketball team set season-highs in nearly every offensive category on Wednesday at Canyons, but couldn't find a way to slow down the Cougars in a 100-90 defeat.
The Vaqueros are now 1-3 on the year while Canyons improves to 3-2.
Forward Aidan Mandel scored the first bucket to put the Vaqueros up 2-0, but SBCC would be fighting its way back into the game the rest of the way. Both sides were hot on the offensive end in the first half, shooting over 50 percent both from the field and from deep heading into halftime. However, a 12-0 Canyons run saw the home side go up 25-11.
Mandel helped keep the Vaqueros in it, putting up 10 points in the opening half and 12 more in the second. He finished 10-of-20 from the field with a team-high eight rebounds. He scored in double-figures for the third time in four games, setting a Vaquero early season-high with his 22 points.
Santa Barbara cut the lead down to just seven at halftime and kept finding a way to answer runs and hang around. Guards Trevor Lee and Jaelen Bates both cut the lead to just one point with a little over six minutes remaining. Unfortunately for the Vaqueros, a 12-2 Canyons run would put the game away from there.
Bates ended his night with 16 points (7-9 FG), his most as a Vaquero. Lee added 10 on an efficient 5-for-7 (.714) shooting night. Julian Hicks (9 points), Tyler Williams (8) and Elijah Simpson (8) all chipped in as well.
SBCC showed some big improvement on offense, recording season-highs in field goal percentage (.521) and three-point percentage (.467) – knocking down 7-of-15 from range – as well as setting a season-low with just 10 turnovers.
The Vaqueros will play three games this weekend at the Home Motors Tournament hosted by Allan Hancock, beginning with Friday's 7:00 p.m. matchup with San Diego City.
