Bulldogs Split Series with Sequoias

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College men's basketball program continued the abbreviated Spring I schedule by splitting a two-game series with College of the Sequoias.

GAME ONE:

The Bulldogs trailed at the intermission, but an explosive second half with efficient play down the stretch led to a thrilling 64-60 victory. Amari Stroud led all performers on the night after pouring in 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the shortened season. He sunk eight shots on the night, three of which were from distance. Tasson Aubry-Thomas also notched an 18 rebound, 11 point double-double performance after dominating on the glass. Nifty passing by Aubry-Thomas and Stroud led to the duo combining for nine of the team's 15 assists. Nick Chapman and Ryan Cartaino rounded out the top offensive performers for Hancock with seven points each.

As a team, AHC dominated the rebounding battle with a 47-29 advantage. The Bulldogs finished the evening shooting 40 percent from the floor and locked the Giants down to just a 33 percent effort. 

GAME TWO:

Sequoias bounced back at home in the second game of the series, claiming a 78-63 victory in Visalia. The Bulldogs faced a 12 point deficit at the intermission that they were unable to overcome, despite a valiant second half fight. COS appeared to be unstoppable in the paint during the rematch, recording 42 points in the lane and holding a +8 advantage on the glass. 

Cartaino's hot-hand led the fight for Hancock after his season-high performance of 20 points. He finished the night shooting 7-for-10 from the floor, including going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, and hit two attempts at the charity stripe. Aubry-Thomas led the squad on the glass again with 10 rebounds while he, Stroud, and Kainoa Keuma tacked on nine points apiece. 

Hancock is set to return to action with another two-game series against Cerro Coso this week. They will hit the road on March 25th before returning home for a 5 PM tip-off on March 26th.