SANTA MARIA – On day two of the Home Motors Tournament at Allan Hancock College, the SBCC men's basketball team stayed within striking distance for the majority of its game against Victor Valley, but couldn't get over the hump in a 73-60 loss.
Forward Tommy Condon posted a season-high 18 points to lead the Vaqueros (3-4), accounting for half of the team's three-pointers as he knocked down 6-of-10 from range. Guard Brycyn Gossett finished as SBCC's second-leading scorer with nine points on 4-of-8 from the field.
Santa Barbara just couldn't find a way to stop Victor Valley from enjoying its best shooting night of the early season. The Rams set season-bests with an efficient 53.1 field goal percentage (26-49 FG) and 50 percent (9-18 3FG) three-point percentage.
The Vaqueros were held to 38.6 percent (22-57 FG) from the field, but hit their most threes (12-32 3FG) through seven games. Forward Adam Weingard hit 2-of-5 from range and finished with eight points.
There were six lead changes in the first half, but SBCC never led by more than two points. A Jon Pearson triple made it 47-43 with 9:29 to go in the second half, but that's when Victor Valley pulled away. The Rams embarked on an 11-0 run in just over a two minute span to give them a comfortable cushion the rest of the way.
Guard Wilfrid Nado filled up the box sheets, finishing with a six in the point, rebound and assist columns while also adding four stelas. Point guard Jaelen Bates doubled his previous season-high with eight assists.
Forward Billy Whitting shot over 50 percent for the fourth time in the last six games, putting up seven points (3-6 FG) off the bench.
SBCC will be back in action tomorrow morning for an 11:00 a.m. tipoff against LA Trade Tech as it closes out its three-game Home Motors Tournament slate.
