Hancock scores 61 in 1st half of 88-53 win over Vaqueros

Hancock knocked down 71.4% from the field in the opening half on Wednesday night and outscored SBCC 61-24 on the way to an 88-53 men's basketball triumph in Santa Maria.

The Bulldogs (18-4, 3-1 WSC North) drained 7-11 on 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes. Hancock opened on a 10-2 run and led 23-14 after Zeke McMurtry hit a 3 for the Vaqueros (3-18, 0-4). Then the Bulldogs broke it open with a 20-4 spurt that produced a 25-point lead at 43-18 with 5:48 to go.

Joseph Holden led the Vaqueros with 22 points, tying his season high. McMurtry, a 6-5 guard from Baton Rouge, LA, recorded his fifth straight double-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and five steals.

The Vaqueros didn't have the services of their top scorer, Kile Kleiner (17.0 ppg), who missed the game with an injury.

Mike Mensah topped Hancock with 16 points and Spirit Ricks had 14 points and six rebounds.

The Bulldogs outshot the Vaqueros 51.5 to 35.0% and made 9-24 from 3-point land compared to 4-19 for the visitors. Hancock also won the rebound battle, 49-30.

The Vaqueros will host Oxnard on Saturday night in the Coaches vs. Cancer game at 5 p.m.