by Dennis McCall
Taft Midway Driller
SANTA MARIA – Allan Hancock College had a sizzling first half shooting touch Wednesday night that created a hole Taft College couldn't climb out of despite a solid Cougar shooting effort in the second half.
The result was a 72-54 Bulldog win in a non-conference game that kept the Cougars winless in five tries.
Guard Ali Rodriguez paced the Bulldog's shooting exhibition with 27 points on 10-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Bulldogs shot 53 percent in the first half and cooled off a bit in the second half with a 40 percent effort.
The Cougars, meanwhile, were cold. They shot just 22 percent in the first half and that, combined with Hancock's hot hand led to a 45-20 lead at the popcorn break.
The Cougars picked up the pace in the second half, shooting 52 percent but couldn't dig themselves out of the first half hole.
For the game the Cougars shot 36.5 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line. Hancock's marks were 47.4 percent and 68 percent respectively.
Centers Emilee Davidson and Kennedy Kunce led the Cougar offense with 14 points apiece and combined for 18 rebounds – Davidson with 11 and Kunce with 8.
Davidson was 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line while Kunce was 5-of-8 and 4-of-6 respectively.
Freshman guard Carrie Graham scored 10 points on 4-of-11 from the field and 2-of-4 from the line.
Other Cougar scorers: Synclaire Lucas 6 points and 4 rebounds, Chantia Jones 6 points and a blocked shot, Mariah Hernandez 3 points, 2 steals and 2 assists, and Mia Hernandez one point, 2 assists and a steal.