A second-half surge for the Rio Hondo College Roadrunners wasn't enough as they came up short in a 70-65 loss to No. 14-state-ranked Chaffey College on Wednesday in both teams' South Coast Conference North Division opener in Whittier.

Rio Hondo found itself trailing 42-25 at halftime before the offense exploded for 40 points in the second. But the 17-point deficit was too much to overcome as the Roadrunners lost for the sixth time over their last seven games. The loss dropped Rio Hondo to 8-11 overall and 0-1 in SCC North play.

Sophomore Angelo Sandoval came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points for the Roadrunners. Freshman Derek Ohara chipped in with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists while freshman Trevon Welch added 12 points and six boards.

Brian Beard Jr. scored a game-high 26 points to lead Chaffey (15-6, 1-0 SCC North).

Rio Hondo will look to snap its three-game losing streak on Friday when the Roadrunners host No. 8 state-ranked East Los Angeles College in a 5 p.m. SCC North Division game.