King, Johnson guide Vaqueros to consolation crown

Destinee King poured in 25 points with 13 rebounds on Sunday and Kesler Johnson added 15 points and seven boards as SBCC got off to a quick start and never looked back in a 76-64 women's basketball win over Glendale.

Santa Barbara (9-7) won for the fifth time in six games to capture the consolation title of the Antelope Valley Holiday Tournament. It was the second consolation title of the season for the Vaqueros, who won the San Diego CC Tourney last week. Glendale fell to 3-11.

SBCC dominated the first and third quarters with a combined 40-19 advantage. King scored the first eight points for Santa Barbara, which led 17-7 after one quarter and 35-28 at the half. King had 18 points and eight rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

 The Vaqueros opened the third quarter on a 9-0 run and went ahead 44-28 on a basket by Jocelin Petatan. SBCC won the third period 23-12 to boost the lead to 58-40.

The margin grew to 24 points, 72-48, on a jumper by Johnson with 5:21 to play. Johnson averaged 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the three-day tourney and was named to the all-tournament team.

King hit 12-17 from the field and had five offensive rebounds. Santa Barbara outshot Glendale 53.2 to 31.8 percent and dominated in rebounds, 48-29. Jeanie Pattison, a 5-7 freshman from Australia, had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. Nalei'a Brackett added seven points and two assists.

The SBCC Vaqueros beat the Glendale Vaqueros for the third time this year.

"It's great to win the consolation title and finish a tough nonconference schedule with a 9-7 record," said coach Sandrine Krul. "It's never easy to beat a team three times in a season. It's always nice when you can clear the bench halfway through the fourth quarter and get 15 players in the game.

"Our defensive intensity and running game made the difference in our last two wins. Destinee played very well today and Kesler was outstanding, scoring 14 or more in all three games."

The Vaqueros open WSC North play on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Hancock with tip-off at 5 p.m. The conference home opener is Wednesday, Jan. 13 vs. Cuesta at 5 p.m.