Vaqueros Fall in Overtime Thriller Against Moorpark

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara City College Men's Basketball team (12-11, 2-5) fell in an overtime battle against Moorpark at home on Saturday night, 70-67. It was oh-so-close to being a great win for the Vaqueros, as Moorpark's 6-1 conference record keeps them in second place in the WSC North.

Santa Barbara leaned heavily on their five starters, each of them playing 30 minutes or more. Jack Berry led all players on the floor with 43 minutes—more than a regulation game.

Despite that stat, it was a horrible start for the Vaqueros, and an even better response. Just 75 seconds into the game, the hosts were forced to call timeout after all three of their opening possessions ended in turnovers as Moorpark led 7-0. That actually grew to 17-4 before three consecutive three-pointers from Brycen Matthews, James Reach, and Mason Thomas quickly made it 17-13 with 13 minutes left in the half. The Vaqueros eventually tied the score at 28 with just over a minute left; a 7-1 run into halftime gave them a 33-29 lead into the break.

The teams traded buckets to start the second half. Moorpark flipped the score with 11 minutes remaining, gaining a five-point lead at 44-39. Thomas' and-one layup at the 4:23 mark finally gave Santa Barbara the lead back—55-54. Moorpark hit two free throws with just over two minutes left to re-tie it at 57, and neither team would score thereafter in regulation.

After missing a few key free throws late, the Vaqueros made all of their first four free throws in overtime to take an early four-point advantage. They led virtually the entirety of overtime until a Moorpark layup made the score 66-66 with 56 seconds remaining. Then, with 30 seconds left, two free throws gave them the lead, which they would not relinquish. The Vaqueros took a game-tying three-point attempt as time expired, but it could not find the bottom of the net, resulting in the 70-67 Moorpark win.

In a game with 10 ties and six lead changes, it was a commendable display of effort from every player on the floor. Thomas (14), Mathews (13), and Reach (11) all scored double-digit points for the Vaqueros. The two other starters—Berry and Dominic Bonafede—grabbed 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively. Finn Whipps led all bench scorers with six points.

The Vaqueros turn the page to a home matchup against Oxnard—whom they beat earlier in January—on Wednesday night at 5 p.m.