Women's Basketball: Second-half surge lifts Rio Hondo to win at COD

Sophomore Danna Robles scored a game-high 21 points, including 15 during a second-half comeback, to help lead Rio Hondo College to a 66-63 Foothill Conference win at College of the Desert on Wednesday night. With the victory, the Roadrunners improved to 5-3 in conference play and 12-13 overall.

Rio Hondo trailed 27-18 at halftime after a miserable second quarter that saw the Roadrunners make just 3 of 16 shots from the field and score six points.

But Rio Hondo turned it on in the second half, outscoring Desert 48-36 to pull out the win. In the fourth, the Roadrunners trailed by nine points (61-52) after a three-pointer by COD's Kelcey Beckham at the 4:46 mark.

Rio Hondo responded with an 8-0 run to get within one point. Sophomore Justine Manjarrez got the rally started with a three-pointer, followed by a layup by sophomore Alexis Hernandez and sophomore Ashley Rendon capped the run with a three-pointer with 1:55 to play.

Ashley Priest's layup extended the Desert advantage to 63-60 before Rio Hondo scored the final six points of the contest to close out the victory. Rendon's layup cut the lead back down to one before sophomore Julissa Vargas' jumper with 1:03 to play put the Roadrunners out in front for good.

Rendon also had a big game for Rio Hondo, posting 20 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Sophomore Alexis Hernandez also chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Chelsea Reese led Desert (11-16, 1-7 FC) with 19 points.

Rio Hondo returns to action on Wednesday (Feb. 17) at 7 p.m. when the Roadrunners travel to Victor Valley College for a Foothill Conference game.