LANCASTER – Sophomore Jaden Hill-Massarotti scored 21 points while MaryJane Contreras had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 57-43 non-conference win at Antelope Valley College on Friday.
The Roadrunners went on to split their games at the AVC Crossover after suffering a narrow 59-56 loss to Mt. San Jacinto College to close the event on Saturday.
On Friday, Rio Hondo jumped out to a 10-5 lead after the first quarter and was up 28-19 at halftime. But AVC rallied in the third to get within three points (35-32) heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
From that point, Hill-Massarotti took over as she erupted for 13 of the Roadrunners' 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Hesma Valdes had a solid game in the win, contributing a game-high 15 rebounds to go with 7 points. Kathleen Rachmat added 6 points, 6 steals, and 5 assists.
Another furious fourth-quarter rally came up just short for Rio Hondo in the loss to Mt. San Jacinto on Saturday.
The Roadrunners entered the final period trailing 53-34 and was down 59-44 with 5 minutes to play before Rio Hondo closed out the contest with a 12-0 run. But the Roadrunners couldn't pull out the win and missed a pair of three-pointers over the final 30 seconds.
Valdes posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Hill-Massarotti chipped in with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Rio Hondo moved to 7-11 overall on the season. The Roadrunners are back in action on Monday (Jan. 6) when they host West Los Angeles College in a 6 p.m. non-conference game.
Antelope Valley
Mt. San Jacinto