Vaqueros outlast Oxnard 72-68 in overtime

Alyssa Cosio scored eight of her 13 points in overtime on Wednesday night as SBCC rallied for a 72-68 victory over Oxnard in a WSC North women's basketball game at the Sports Pavilion.

It was the first home game of 2017 for the Vaqueros (12-6, 2-0), who've won five straight and nine of their last 11. It was also the first home appearance with the new red bleachers and the first home game in nearly seven weeks, since Dec. 3.

Destinee King led the Vaqueros with 20 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in 43 minutes. It was the eighth straight double-double for King, who also had five steals and three blocks. King has 51 points, 39 rebounds and nine blocks in two conference games. She's No. 9 on the State rebounding chart (11.9) and leads the WSC North in scoring average (18.4), rebounds (11.9) and blocks (1.9).

Jocelin Petatan hit 7-of-9 shots and collected 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Vaqueros, who are 5-0 at home this season.

Zoe Bowden scored 16 of her 21 for Oxnard (5-14, 0-2) in the second half and OT.

The teams were tied 24-all at the half and 55-55 at the end of regulation. SBCC trailed by four with (55-51) with 2:08 to play but Petatan knocked down a bucket, then blocked a layup at the other end. King hit two free throws with 62 seconds left to tie it at 55.

Santa Barbara outshot the Condors 34 to 26 percent and won the rebound battle, 63-54, for the 16th time in 17 games.

"We had MTXE (Mental Toughness, Extra Effort) when we needed it," said coach Sandrine Krul. "This was a game of wills. We didn't shoot well but we got some big shots. King grabs 22 rebounds and Alyssa hit some key jumpers.

"This was a great game to coach. Our players defended the entire night and we executed our 2 & 2 offense (stop 2, make 2) when the game was on the line."

The Vaqueros took an early four-point lead in the five-minute extra session on straightaway jumpers of 15- and 17-feet by Cosio that made it 62-58. Jada Clark (8 points, 5 rebounds) scored a layup on an assist from King to stretch it to 66-61 and Destiny Renteria added a pair of free throws for a 68-61 lead with 46.5 seconds left.

Renteria hit a trio of 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 14 points and six rebounds for SBCC. Cosio scored 13 points, six boards and five assists.

Oxnard rallied back with Richell Bequilla scoring five straight points and Rhonniesha Simpson making two free throws to pull the visitors within one at 69-68 with 14.1 seconds. Cosio made two free throws with 12.1 seconds on the clock and Clark added another at 0.9 to secure the win.

"The great thing is that everyone has contributed during our five-game win streak," Krul added. "It's been someone different every game coming off the bench and keeping our synergy going."

The Vaqueros travel to Hancock on Saturday for a 5 p.m. contest.