Cuesta holds off Vaqueros, 59-56

SBCC shot a season-high 52.3 percent on Monday but still came up a basket short in a 59-56 men's basketball loss to No. 14 Cuesta at the Hancock Holiday Classic.

Thomas Walker led the Vaqueros (4-7) with 14 points (on 7-11 shooting) and five rebounds. Jonathan Montez (6-8 shooting) and Ty Cleland added 12 points apiece.

SBCC fell behind by 11 in the first half (26-15) before rallying within four, 36-32, at intermission. Tayler Thompson had 16 points and 11 boards for the Cougars (10-5), who stretched the lead to 11 (47-36) with a 9-0 run early in the second half. SBCC responded with an 11-2 burst and tied it at 51 on a basket by Montez.

Alonzo McCain scored all eight of his points in the second half and drilled a 3-pointer to pull Santa Barbara within one at 55-54 with 3:55 to play. Daniel Solis hit a jumper with 3:25 to go and Keshawn Liggins extended Cuesta's lead to five points with two free throws at the 40-second mark.

The Vaqueros held Cuesta to 43.4 percent shooting but only got to the free-throw line eight times and converted five. The Cougars were 8-13 on free throws.

SBCC opens the new year by hosting Long Beach in its final nonconference game on Friday at 5 p.m.