Valencia scores 32 points to lead Rio Hondo to win in Cabrillo Classic finale

APTOS – Rio Hondo College freshman Alexia Valencia poured in a season-high 32 points to help lead the Roadrunners to an 82-74 win over Lassen College on Sunday to close out the three-day Cabrillo College Classic in Aptos.

Rio Hondo completed a successful weekend by winning two of its three games at the event.

The Roadrunners opened the tournament on Friday with a 54-48 win over Shasta College. That was followed by a 60-41 loss to host Cabrillo on Saturday. But the Roadrunners were able to head home after a win on Sunday after beating Lassen College 82-74.

Sophomore Jaden Hill-Massarotti had a solid weekend for Rio Hondo as she averaged 15 points over the three games.

Rio Hondo 54, Shasta 48
Hill-Massarotti came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points and spark a second-half comeback. Rio Hondo trailed 26-25 at halftime but outscored Shasta 29-22 over the final two quarters to pull out the win.

Brooklyn Romero totaled 10 points and 5 rebounds while MaryJane Contreras had 8 points and 7 boards.

Cabrillo 60, Rio Hondo 41
A rough first half doomed the Roadrunners in the loss to the host Seahawks as Rio Hondo trailed 35-19 at the break.

Hill-Massarotti once again paced the Roadrunners, as she totaled 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Valencia added 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals while Alyssa Puente and Kathleen Rachmat both chipped in with 5 points each.

Rio Hondo 82, Lassen 74
Valencia had her finest game of the season with 32 points to help lead the Roadrunners to the win in their tourney finale. She shot 12 of 19 from the field, including 5 for 10 from 3-point range.

She also totaled 6 boards, 4 steals, and 3 assists.

Hill-Massarotti added 17 points and 5 rebounds while Hesma Valdes posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Rio Hondo moved to 6-8 overall after the weekend's action. The Roadrunners return to the court on Friday (Dec. 20) when they open the two-day Glendale College Crossover. Rio Hondo is set to play Glendale on Friday at 5 p.m. and Allan Hancock College on Saturday ay 3 p.m.