Men's Basketball Extends Streak to Eight with Win over LA Pierce

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - A hot-shooting night and a total team effort on offense led the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team to an 83-72 victory over LA Pierce College on Friday evening. | BOX SCORE

The Bulldogs (16-8, 8-1 WSC) won their eighth-straight game as they sank seven three-pointers and shot 51.0 percent overall. Tonight's victory leaves Hancock just one game out of first place in the Western State Conference behind an undefeated Ventura squad. Prior to the game, Coach Aye's squad honored the 2022 sophomore class which included Bryce Craver, Shawn Kelly, Kaleb Mack, and Amari Stroud. 

Hancock built a 10 point cushion through the opening five minutes of action, but the Brahmas (12-15, 3-9 WSC) chipped away at the deficit to take the lead with three minutes remaining. A back-and-forth affair saw both teams trade baskets through the remainder of the half, but Matt Solomon's buzzer-beating shot from distance gave the Bulldogs a one-possession advantage at the intermission. Level play for both sides continued in the second half until the home squad broke away by rattling off a 14-0 streak midway through the frame to put the game out of reach.

Solomon led the Bulldogs with a 28 point performance, which included five made three-pointers, and tacked on six rebounds. Kelly also had a night after registering a 21 point, 15 rebound double-double showing. Vondre Chase rounded out the top scorers by chipping in 11 points while Craver dished out a team-high mark of seven assists. Craver and Kelly also recorded three blocks apiece on the night. 

The Bulldogs are scheduled to return to action on Monday, February 21st, with a road trip to the league-leading Ventura College Pirates. Tip-off for the game is set for 6 PM.