Sophomore Amanda Lee scored a game-high 24 points while freshman Sally Smith added 13 points to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 72-61 upset win over No. 8 state-ranked Mt. San Antonio College on Friday night in Walnut.
The Roadrunners (18-7, 3-2) surged to their third straight win and moved one game behind Mt. SAC (19-6, 4-1) in the South Coast Conference North Division standings with just three games left to play in the regular season.
Rio Hondo set the tone early, outscoring the Mounties 17-9 in the first quarter. The Roadrunners turned up the defensive intensity, earning five steals while Mt. SAC turned the ball over 7 times. Rio Hondo held a 33-19 lead at halftime before Mt. SAC got back into the game with a 25-point third quarter.
Holding a narrow 45-44 lead to start the fourth, Smith scored Rio Hondo's first five points of the period to fuel a 5-2 run and create some breathing room. Mt. SAC was able to get within two points on numerous occasions, but a 6-0 Rio Hondo run late in the game gave the Roadrunners a commanding 65-57 lead with 2:38 to play.
Lee made six free throws over the final minute of the contest to secure the victory. She ended the game shooting 10 of 13 from the free throw line and dished out a game-high 6 assists to go with 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
Amy Navarro just missed a double-double, grabbing a game-best 14 rebounds while scoring 9 points. Donteylor Maxwell, Candace Black, and Alisia Trejo all contributed 8 points to the win.
The Roadrunners return to action on Wednesday (Feb. 12) when they travel to Pasadena City College for a 5 p.m. SCC North game.
