Roadrunners rout Merritt 80-48 to open season at Mt. SAC tourney

WALNUT – The 2024-25 season got off to an impressive start for the Rio Hondo College women's basketball team as the Roadrunners opened with a big 80-48 victory over Merritt College on Friday at the Mt. SAC Tip-Off Tournament.

Unfortunately, Rio Hondo couldn't keep the momentum going and closed out the weekend with losses to Antelope Valley College (82-60) and Long Beach City College (76-53).

Friday's contest against Merritt started close before a late run in the first quarter as well as a huge third quarter by the Roadrunners helped them pull away.

Holding a narrow 11-9 lead at the 4:38 mark in the opening quarter, Rio Hondo closed out the period with a 14-5 run to take a 25-14 lead into the second. The Roadrunners were up 44-29 after halftime but went on to outscore Merritt 26-9 in the third to go into the fourth with a commanding 70-38 lead.

Three-point shooting proved to be the difference in the contest as the Roadrunners made 10 while Merritt was 1 of 8. Freshman Alexia Valencia led the Roadrunners, shooting 4 of 5 from three-point range on her way to a game-high 19 points.

Freshman Kathleen Rachmat nearly had a double-double in her Rio Hondo debut. She totaled 13 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.

Returning first-team All-South Coast Conference selection Miranda Morales had 11 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals while sophomore newcomer Jaden Hill-Massarotti added 10 points and 5 boards in the her first game in a Rio Hondo uniform.

Rio Hondo had a tougher time against Antelope Valley on Saturday. The Roadrunners led early in the contest, up 19-17 after the first quarter before AVC pulled away in the second for good.

Valencia sank five more three-pointers on her way to 15 points. Morales had another solid all-around game with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

Rio Hondo closed the tourney with the loss to Long Beach on Sunday. The Roadrunners were outrebounded by a 60-39 margin and shot just 25 percent from the field (18-71) for the game.

Sophomore Hesma Valdes had 12 points and 8 boards while freshman Brooklyn Romero totaled 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Rio Hondo (1-2) will open its home schedule with a pair of games next weekend (Nov. 8-9). The Roadrunners host College of the Sequoias on Friday at 5 p.m. and will take on San Diego City College on Saturday at 3 p.m.