Vaqs Win First Game, Defeat Victor Valley on the Road

With the season off to a tough start, the SBCC Men's Basketball Team took to the road looking for thier first win of season.  Losing two very close games to start the season, the Vaqs looked to make a statement on the road with their defense and continued offensive improvemen. "We haven't been scoring a lot so far, but I'm really proud of how the guys have defended in our two games thus far," said head coach Devin Engebretsen.  In thier first game of the season, SBCC held El Camino to 63 points, and followed that up by only allowing 57 to a high scoring Antelope Valley College team. "We've held our ooponents this year to 120 points, but at the same time, we have to be able to score it a bit better," added Engebretsen. The Vaqs scored 60 and 47, respectively in their first two games. 

A Strong Start for SBCC

From the opening tip-off, it was clear that SBCC was ready to take control of the game. The Vaqueros' opened their defense in a zone, going away from thier typical man-to-man coverage. Victor Valley College came into the game averaging 88 points per game, scoring 93 and 84 in their first two games, but were also allwoing  over 100 points per game defensively. "Going in, we knew it was a contrast of two styles. VVC likes to play up and down and fast, and they have guys who can score," said Engebretsen.  "We like to defend and execute, and don't necessarily play as high paced as they do."  The game started off slowly for both teams with the score 20-19 SBCC with only 4:30 remaining until halftime.  As the teams neared halftime, the Vaqs starting making some baskets and closed the half on an 8-1 run, taking a 34-27 halftime lead.  SBCC held the Rams to 39% from the feild and a paltry 2-12 from 3 point land for 16%

Victor Valley Fights Back

Despite the early deficit, Victor Valley College showed heart and determination in the second half. The team adjusted its strategy, ramping up the intensity and attempting to mount a comeback. The VVC offense started to click, with key players hitting crucial shots and creating opportunities inside the paint.  Despite trailing by 7 at the break, the Rams started the second half on a quick 6-0 run, cutting the Vaqs lead to only 1.  However, SBCC's defense continued to prove tough, with timely stops and critical rebounds, keeping Victor Valley from ever taking the lead in the second half.  Even as VVC found a rhythm, SBCC's ability to answer back with strong offensive plays helped maintain their lead.The Vaqs would eventually stretch their lead to 11 on a layup by James Reach. VVC would mount a small comeback to four points, which ended up being the final margin. 

Key Players Shine

Several players for SBCC had standout performances, contributing both offensively and defensively. Kyle Haughy had 17 points to lead the Vaq attack, with team leading scorer James Reach adding 14.  The Vaqueros outrebounded the Rams 44-37 and outshot them 43% to 32%. The one area SBCC struggled in was from the free-throw line where they were 6-17 for 35%.  "We're going to have to clean up the free-throw shooting.  We don't want to give away games at the line," added Engebretsen. SBCC's team's depth also shone through, with several players stepping up at crucial moments. Whether it was a timely three-pointer or a crucial defensive stop, SBCC's bench provided valuable contributions, making the difference in the tight moments.  Sophomore William Pace added a whopping 16 rebounds for the Vaqueros. 

Looking Ahead

With the win, Santa Barbara City College improved to 1-2, and the team continues to build momentum as they head into the remainder of their season. The Vaqs have 5 games in the next 10 days, including a home game Saturday against LA City College.