Bulldogs Top Hartnell at Home, 75-68

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Allan Hancock College men's basketball team topped Hartnell College, 75-68, at home on Friday evening inside of the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium. | BOX SCORE

Both teams faced a back-and-forth battle in the opening five minutes of play before a pair of free throws from Caleb Whalen put the Bulldogs (1-1) ahead for good with 15:23 remaining in the first half. A quick pair of three-pointers from Darryl Brooks II and Tytan Newton sparked a late 12-2 surge as Hancock worked towards a 40-28 cushion at the intermission.

The Bulldogs continued to control the pace for most of the second half, despite hitting an offensive slump midway through the frame. The Panthers (0-2) capitalized on the lull by stringing together a 15-3 run, but a pair of layups from Onias Outlaw and a shot from distance by Vondre Chase snuffed out any comeback hopes for the visitors.

As a team, the Bulldogs shot an impressive 52 percent from the floor (40% 3PT) while limiting Hartnell to a 27 percent performance from beyond the arc. Hancock also won the battle for the boards at a hefty 40-25 margin while recording 12 second chance points.

Outlaw, a freshman from Baltimore, led Coach Aye's squad with a 19-point showing after going 7-for-8 from the floor. Whalen and Quincy Bentley also finished in double figures after recording 10 points apiece. Taevon Pierre-Louis led the team in both rebounds and assists after chipping in 13 and six, respectively. 

Hancock is set to return to action on Friday, November 11th, against Gavilan College for day one of the Cuesta Rabobank Tournament. The three-day tournament, hosted by Cuesta College, will be held in San Luis Obispo.