Defense does it for Vaqueros in 48-38 triumph

SBCC put the clamps on Santa Ana's offense on Friday in a 48-38 women's basketball victory in the consolation semifinals of the Lady Bulldog Classic at Hancock College.

The 38 points and 26.3% shooting were both season lows for the Vaquero defense.

Sophomore guard Aaliyah Pauling scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to spark Santa Barbara (7-2) to a win just 18 hours after a 10-point loss to Glendale.

Meagan Moore added 10 points and three steals for the Vaqueros, who jumped out to a 14-0 lead and took a 29-17 lead at intermission. Pauling and Moore hit 3-pointers to open the game and Jennae Mayberry capped the 14-0 burst with a layup at the 6:42 mark.

SBCC forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter.

"We shot a lot better today and we converted on our steals," said 15th-year coach Sandrine Krul. "This was a great team win after a short turnaround.

"We did a very good job of rebounding and when we defensively rebound, it makes us run on offense."

The Vaqueros outshot the Dons 32.1 to 26.3% and outrebounded them 39-36. Lauren Noggle pulled down eight rebounds and Lei Talaro had a season-high six assists

Santa Barbara extended the lead to 15 points (34-19) on a triple by Pauling and a layup by Mayberry in the first minute of the third period. The Dons couldn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.

The Vaqueros will battle L.A. Harbor (5-5) for the consolation title on Saturday at 11 a.m.