For the second straight season, Rio Hondo College’s women’s basketball managed to reach the Mt. San Antonio Tip-off final — only to lose the decider Sunday, Nov. 3 to the hosts 66-62 behind Amanda Lee’s 20 points and four 3-pointers.

Mt. SAC Tip Off Classic

The tournament began with a significant Roadrunners win. Saddleback was unable to matchup with the five double-digit scorers Rio boasted with Donteylor Maxwell leading the way with 12 points.

Up next, Rio found it tougher against Long Beach City but worked out a 61-53 win. The Vikings had a run in the fourth quarter but Rio’s 47-32 lead after three quarters was enough to clinch a spot in the final against Mt. SAC.

In the final, the Roadrunners luck ran out as the Mounties won the game 66-62 with Taylor Shelby going off for 16 points. Ashton Hudson went on to contribute with 13 as Rio’s Candace Black received All-tournament selection honors in the guard position. Mt. SAC head coach Brian Crichlow told www.mtsacathletics.com after the game that he was anticipating the Roadrunners in the final which shows the respect from opposing teams early in the season.

Time to Earn Their Stripes

Up next for the Roadrunners is a trip to Riverside, Calif. Thursday, Nov. 7 where the “Earn Our Stripes” Tournament, hosted by Riverside City, will take place and feature eight teams. Moorpark, the California Community College Athletic Association’s no. 1 ranked team in the South’s preseason poll, Cerritos and Bakersfield among the participants.

First for the Roadrunners will be a 1 p.m. matchup with Santa Ana. The winner goes on to the championship bracket to face Moorpark or Grossmont with the loser entering the consolation bracket.

The tournament will continue onto Saturday with the championship game tipping off at 4 p.m. and the consolation title game at noon.