Howell, Jackson combine for 43 in 83-65 loss to Hancock

SBCC's Drayten Howell and Dejon Jackson combined for 43 points on Saturday afternoon but it wasn't enough to prevent an 83-65 men's basketball defeat to Hancock in Santa Maria.

Howell, a 5-11 sophomore from nearby Lompoc High, tossed in 23 points on 10-17 shooting. He also had seven assists and five rebounds. Jackson, a 6-6 center/forward from Oxnard, hit 9-12 shots for 20 points and seven rebounds.

Aaron Mejia added nine points and five rebounds for the Vaqueros (0-6). Shane Carney hit 4-of-7 from 3-point range and led Hancock (5-3) with 24 points.

The Vaqueros trailed 35-34 at the half. They were within three (55-52) with 10:53 to play, then the Bulldogs went on a 17-5 run to take a 72-57 lead with 5:18 remaining.

Hancock won the shooting battle, 55.2 to 46.6 percent and hit 7-of-19 from long range.

The Vaqueros will take 11 days off, then open play in the Monterey Bay Classic vs. Monterey Peninsula on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.