A slow start in the first quarter led to a big halftime deficit that Rio Hondo College couldn't overcome as the Roadrunners suffered a 68-41 South Coast Conference North Division loss to No. 1 Southern California-ranked East Los Angeles College on Friday night in Whittier.

East Los Angeles jumped out to an 8-2 lead to open the contest and held a commanding 30-12 advantage after two quarters. The Roadrunners bounced back over the final two quarters to play much better and score 29 points.

Rio Hondo shot just 24 percent from the field (11-46) and turned the ball over 26 times which both contributed to the loss.

Sophomore guard Aliyah Montiel led the Roadrunners with 11 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Marisa DeLeon had eight points and six rebounds while sophomore Joselyn Santillan added seven points.

Monica Garcia led East Los Angeles (18-2, 1-1 SCC North) with 18 points.

Rio Hondo, now 4-15 overall and 0-2 in the SCC North, will look to snap its nine-game losing streak on Wednesday (Jan. 25) at 7 p.m.. Once again, the Roadrunners face a ranked opponent when they travel to No. 2 Mt. San Antonio College.