The South Coast Conference North Division schedule for the Rio Hondo College men's basketball team got off to a rough start as the Roadrunners suffered a 74-65 loss to the visiting Mt. San Antonio College Mounties on Wednesday.

Rio Hondo played well to open the contest and led for the majority of the first half. The Roadrunners were up 24-20 at the 9:16 mark before the Mounties caught fire. Mt. SAC (6-14, 1-0 SCC North) outscored Rio Hondo 21-5 over the remainder of the opening half to take a commanding 41-29 lead at the break.

The Roadrunners slowly battled their way back into the contest in the second. Down 64-52 with five minutes to play, Rio Hondo went on a 9-0 run that was fueled by seven points from Aaron Patterson. His two free throws at the 3:58 mark got the Roadrunners within three points at 64-61.

But Mt. SAC responded with six consecutive points and went on to outscore the Roadrunners 10-4 over the rest of the contest to hang on for the win.

Patterson led Rio Hondo with 21 points and added 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Bryant Howing contributed 15 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists while Darrin Curtis chipped in with 9 points and 4 rebounds.

The loss dropped Rio Hondo to 3-18 overall and 0-1 in South Coast Conference North Division play. The Roadrunners will look to snap a 13-game losing streak on Friday (Jan. 24) when they travel to Pasadena City College for a 7 p.m. SCC North game.