WHITTIER --- Sophomore Jennyfer Morales and freshman Rosalie Avalos both scored 14 points each to lead Rio Hondo College in a 72-50 loss to No. 9 state-ranked East Los Angeles College on Wednesday night in both teams' South Coast Conference opener.

The loss dropped the Roadrunners to 7-11 overall and 0-1 in the SCC while East Los Angeles improved to 12-5 and 1-0.

Rio Hondo got off to a good start to take a narrow one-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Trailing 14-9 with three minutes to play, the Roadrunners closed out the period scoring the final six points to jump ahead.

But the Roadrunners started to falter in the second. With the score tied 23-23 with under three minutes remaining, the Huskies outscored Rio Hondo 11-2 to take a 34-25 lead into halftime that they wouldn't give up.

Morales nearly posted a triple-double in the loss, as she added 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Avalos grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Tiah Sherman also played well off the bench, contributing 13 points 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists.

Rio Hondo will face an even tougher challenge in its next scheduled game. The Roadrunners are set to play at No. 7 Mt. San Antonio College on Friday (Jan. 21) at 7 p.m.