Jaguars take PCAC South from Knights
- Updated: February 16, 2019
2019 COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL
East County Sports staff report
DOWNTOWN (2-16-2019) – Fifth-ranked Southwestern College regained its hold as South Division champions of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference, ending the 3-year reign of San Diego City College by taking a 71-66 road decision Friday (Feb. 15) at Harry West Gym.
Jaguars guard Marq Stephens registered 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, allowing SWC to overcome a 32-29 halftime deficit.
City settled down and regained a double-digit advantage at 63-53 with 7:37 remaining, yet for some reason elected to call a timeout. The decision killed the Knights momentum, as Southwestern took over the contest.
A Stephens jump shot capped a 12-2 to knot the ballgame at 65-all with 2:46 left. Marc pair of go-ahead foul shots, then City failed to get even by making just 1-of 2 foul shots.
Stephens and Jordon Cook added two free throws each in the final minute to complete a 17-3 run to close out the championship.
Combs finished with 18 points, while Cooke added 10 points and 9 rebounds for Southwestern (22-4 overall, 8-0 PCAC).
City (15-11, 6-2 PCAC) received 19 points from Nashom Carter, followed by Robby Robinson (17 points and 17 rebounds) and Joseph Riley (15 points).
Elsewhere
San Diego Mesa clinched third place in the South by whipping host Cuyamaca, 76-67. The loss sent the Coyotes into the cellar after Grossmont upset visiting Imperial Valley, 73-59.
The Griffins coasted to their largest margin of victory of the season after storming to a 37-22 halftime cushion.
Josh Peloquin scored 16 points to lead Grossmont (5-21 overall, 2-6 PCAC) while Josh Burton added 15 points.
Imperial Valley (9-16, 2-6 PCAC) shot just 32 percent from the floor, including just 11,1 percent (3-for-27) from beyond the arc.
PCAC North
No. 7 San Bernardino Valley wrapped up the PCAC North Division crown, gaining a CCCAA state playoff berth after stopping visiting College of the Desert, 88-63. The Wolverines shot 63.5 percent (33-52) from the floor.
No. 9 Mt. San Jacinto will finish as the division runner-up after downing Palomar, 69-54, behind 19 points each by Luka Filipovic and David Thompson.
Elsewhere, Miramar won at home over MiraCosta, 70-67.
