Sophomore Danna Robles scored 20 points, including a clutch layup in the fourth quarter, to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 67-61 Foothill Conference win in overtime against visiting College of the Desert on Saturday. The Roadrunners improved to 2-1 in conference play and 9-11 overall.
Despite leading for most of the contest, Rio Hondo had to rally late over the final minutes of regulation to send the game to overtime and pull out the win.
Rio Hondo took a commanding 21-8 lead after the first quarter before Desert opened the second with an 11-0 run. Despite being outscored 20-12 in the second, Rio Hondo led 33-28 at halftime and went into the fourth quarter holding a narrow two-point advantage at 44-42.
In the fourth, COD went ahead 59-54 after a jumper by Reina West with 1:33 to play. With 46 seconds left, sophomore Justine Manjarrez nailed a clutch three-pointer to get Rio Hondo with two at 59-57. After a turnover and pair of missed shots by Desert, Robles dribbled down court and drove to the hoop to make a crucial layup with seven seconds left to tie up the game. Robles was fouled on the play, but couldn't convert her free throw.
Chelsea Reese missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for COD before the squads went to overtime.
In extra time, Rio Hondo outscored Desert 8-2 to pull out the win. Robles scored five of those points, including the final three to seal the victory.
Robles added nine rebounds and three assists on the afternoon. Sophomore Alexis Hernandez scored a game-high 21 points while sophomore Ashley Rendon had a team-high 10 rebounds to go with nine points.
West led COD (10-12, 0-3 FC) with 15 points.
Rio Hondo returns to action next Saturday (Jan. 23) when the Roadrunners host Victor Valley College in a 1 p.m. Foothill Conference game.
