Cuesta Basketball hosted Western State Conference rival Santa Barbara City to complete their first swing through the WSC circuit.  The men openned the evening with a win, 76-66, while the women fell in the nightcap, 75-65.

Cuesta's men earned the win over the visiting Vaqueros, 78-66, while also giving First-year Head Coach Jamoni Barber his eighth victory of the season.  Barber, the fourth Cuesta Men's Basketball Coach since 1965, opened his tenure with a six-game losing streak; however, he has turned the program around, as the Cougars have gone 8-8 over their last 16 games.  The Cougars win over the Vaqueros also gave Coach Barber the most first-year wins of any of his predecessors.  The Cougars, now 8-14 overall and 3-3 in conference play, took a one-point lead into the intermission, before outscoring the Vaqs, 45-34, in the second half to claim the win.  The Cougars' game was boosted by Forward Jakai Tutler, who reached a season-high 14 points after playing in just his third game since November 13.  Tutler's performance was complemented by Sophomores Ryan McNamee and Corbin Rossi.  McNamee posted game-highs with 16 points and six rebounds, while Rossi added a dozen points on his own.  

 

The women, who opened the season winning nine of their first 16 games, have struggled to find their way through the Western State Conference.  The Cougars have gone winless during their first swing through the circuit, including tonight's loss to #17 Santa Barbara. The Cougars and visiting Santa Barbara both put up 20 points in the first quarter; however, the visiting Vaqueros took a five-point lead into the intermission, 44-39.  Cuesta pushed back, after making some halftime adjustments, and the two teams entered the final ten minutes separated by a single basket, 59-57.  The Cougars' march back into contention was led by their outside shooting, which included four three-point shots after the half.  Unfortunately, the Vaqueros' depth helped them pull away down the stretch for a 10-point win, 75-65.  Four of the Cougars' six players scored in double-digits, including Foward Kinzie Amer, who netted a career-high 21 points.  Amer joined fellow Forward Jennifer Stambaugh (11 points), as well as Guards Alyssa Gonzalez (15 pts) and Charlotte Hasson (15 pts) in lighting up the scoreboard.  Coach Casey Blair began the season eyeing the program's third consecutive playoff berth, but the Cougars will need to get healthy in a hurry to make big enough impact to keep their post-season streak alive.  A combination of injuries and other issues dwindled the Cougars' roster down to six players against the Vaqueros, but the Cougars have a, much needed, bye this weekend and have a full week before they play their next contest. Cuesta Basketball hosted Western State Conference rival Santa Barbara City to complete their first swing through the WSC circuit.  Cuesta Basketball hosted Western State Conference rival Santa Barbara City to complete their first swing through the WSC circuit.  The men opened the evening with a win, 76-66, while the women fell in the nightcap, 75-65.

 

The Cougars open the second round of WSC play in Santa Maria against local rival Allan Hancock next Wednesday.  The men open the evening at 5 PM, while the women are scheduled to tip-off at 7 PM.