Trailing 44-28 to open the fourth quarter, Rio Hondo College finally came alive against Citrus College on Friday. The Roadrunners nearly matched their scoring output for three quarters over the final 10 minutes, putting up 25 points. But Rio Hondo couldn't complete the comeback and fell by a final score of 56-53 in a game played at El Camino College in Torrance.

Jennyfer Morales scored 15 of her game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead the late-game Rio Hondo charge. Citrus went cold in the period, making just 2 of 13 shots that allowed Rio Hondo back in the game.

Ultimately, free throws cost the Roadrunners as they converted on just 7 of 15 chances in the fourth quarter. Rio Hondo got within 55-51 with 2:25 to play after a Morales jumper but would not score again until a two-point bucket by Atahisia Rojas at the buzzer.

Rojas came off the bench to chip in with 10 points and 5 rebounds while Rosalie Avalos totaled 7 rebounds and 4 points. Morales added 11 rebounds and 6 steals on her big night.

The loss dropped Rio Hondo to 3-6 overall. The Roadrunners return to action on Dec. 3 when they will compete at the two-day Irvine Valley College Crossover Tournament. They open play Friday with a 5 p.m. game against Cerritos College and face Mt. San Jacinto at 4 p.m. on Saturday.