Fast start carries Pierce past Vaqueros, 78-64

L.A. Pierce built a 36-19 halftime lead Wednesday night and went on to defeat SBCC 78-64 in a WSC North men's basketball game in Woodland Hills.

Stephen Harper led the Vaqueros (1-16, 0-6) with 13 points on 5-7 shooting and Tommy Callonea matched his season high with 11 points on 3-4 shooting from 3-point range. SBCC committed 13 first-half turnovers and hit just 30 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.

Terrel Funches hit 11 of 15 shots and topped the Brahmas (7-15, 1-5) with 23 points. Pierce jumped out to a 10-2 lead en route to its first conference win. SBCC trailed 21-13 with six minutes to go in the opening half but Pierce closed with a 15-6 run to take a 17-point halftime lead.

"We had too many turnovers in the first half and that led to some easy baskets," said coach Morris Hodges.

Alonzo McCain and Prince Arceneaux scored seven apiece. McCain had five assists and Arceneaux grabbed five rebounds.

The Vaqueros shot 56.7 percent in the second half (17-30) and outscored Pierce 45-42. The Brahmas finished with 16 steals and five blocked shots.

SBCC travels to Santa Clarita to take on Canyons on Wednesday at 7 p.m.