Slow start hinders Vaqueros in 62-51 setback

Santa Rosa jumped ahead 29-6 in the first 14 minutes on Thursday night and went on to defeat SBCC 62-51 in the opening round of the 16-team Gilcrest Invitational women's basketball tournament at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.

"We battled back and cut it to seven late in the second half," said coach Sandrine Krul. "We didn't shoot well and we're still learning. But we are playing hard."

The Bear Cubs (3-1) won the shooting battle, 39 to 24 percent. SBCC (2-5) made just 19 percent (6-31) in the first half but still managed to shave a 23-point deficit to 14 by closing the half on a 13-4 run. Santa Rosa led 33-19 at intermission.

The Vaqueros trimmed the margin to eight (50-42) on a bucket by Mizhrua Bautista with 6:12 to play. Darla Morales had a three-point play to pull the Vaqueros within seven, 64-57, at the 2:58 mark. But Santa Rosa converted four straight free throws to regain control.

Santa Barbara hit just 1-18 from 3-point land and was outscored by seven at the free-throw line, where it shot 55 percent.

Darla Morales led the Vaqueros with 15 points and seven rebounds. Paige Nealey had seven points and five boards. Alyssa Cosio scored five points and posted a season-best 10 rebounds, including seven offensive. Andrea Morales added a season-high nine rebounds with five offensive.

SBCC will take on Glendale (1-5) on Friday at 8 p.m. Glendale lost to No. 15 Sequoias 78-64 on Friday.