Rio Hondo College freshman Jennyfer Morales came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points and help spark a second-half comeback for the Roadrunners as they defeated visiting Los Angeles Southwest College 80-60 in a South Coast Conference interdivision game on Wednesday.
Rio Hondo won its fourth straight game and improved to a conference-best 15-5 overall.
The Roadrunners trailed by two points at halftime, 36-34, before nearly doubling up the Cougars (46-24) in the second half to complete the comeback.
Rio Hondo took advantage of 22 LA Southwest turnovers and converted numerous second-chance points thanks to 19 offensive rebounds.
Morales sank a trio of three-pointers on her way to 17 points as well as 4 rebounds. Sally Smith had a big game, posting a double-double with 14 points and a team-best 11 rebounds. Amy Navarro nearly had a double-double of her own, but had to settle on 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Candace Black played well, contributing 12 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals while Amanda Lee added 10 points, 8 assists, 7 steals, and 4 rebounds.
LA Southwest fell to 8-10 overall with the loss. The Cougars were led by Mercedes Ofoegbu's 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Wednesday's game wrapped up Rio Hondo's non-conference schedule. The Roadrunners open South Coast Conference North Division play next Wednesday (Jan. 22) at 5 p.m. when they host Mt. San Antonio College.
