Gauchos fall to Cuesta in Hancock opener

The Saddleback women's basketball team fell to Cuesta College in the opener of the Allan Hancock Tournament, 77-51, on Thursday afternoon in Santa Maria.  The Gauchos had the game within reach at the half, but went cold in the second half in falling into the consolation bracket.

Saddleback kept the game close with a Cuesta program that entered the game 5-1 on the season, trailing by just 33-30 at the intermission.  However, the Cougars ran away with the victory by scoring 44 second-half points in moving into the tournament semifinals. 

Saddleback shot the ball well, but was beaten on the glass as Cuesta held a 27-21 rebounding advantage for the game.  The Gauchos were also victimized by 22 turnovers and starter Karla Roacha-Cota getting into early foul trouble.  Roacha-Cota (pictured) managed to lead the team with 14 points on the afternoon, but played in just a handful of minutes in the second half due to foul trouble.  Meanwhile, Cuesta buried 24-of-29 free throws in turning back the Gauchos.

Saddleback (5-7) will play Reedley (3-7) in the consolation semifinals on Friday.