COD’s Skipper gets send-off to beat Jets
- Updated: February 20, 2019
2019 COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL
East County Sports staff report
PALM DESERT (2-20-2019) – It was a Sophomore Night to remember for the College of the Desert men’s basketball team.
Roadrunners guard Sam Skipper nailed a contested running jump shot with 5.4 seconds remaining, lifting the hosts to a stunning 74-72 decision over San Diego Miramar in Tuesday’s (Feb. 19) Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest.
The triumph clinched the first .500 season for Desert (14-13 overall, 5-4 PCAC) since the 2007-08 season. It also broke a tie for third place in
Skipper made a move into the paint, pulling up for a 14-footer in front of the foul line for the knockout blow. The Jets has a chance to force overtime, but Desert defenders Nicholas Pere and
Miramar would hold a 1-point advantage at the first half break, 47-48, as both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the first half. In the second half, both teams shot less than 36 percent from the field as the game ground to a halt until the closing seconds.
With 4:15 left in the game, Desert held a 7-point lead, 70-63, but the Jets started to whittle that lead down and eventually utilizing a 9-2 run to tie the game at 72-72 with 1:23 remaining. Then with 37 seconds left, Miramar missed a jumper and then committed a costly turnover just before Desert called their final full timeout.
Out of the timeout, sophomore starting guard Riley Welch found Skipper, a freshman, who drove the lane for his game-winner.
Skipper led all scorers with 27 points, his highest scoring output since January 4 and his sixth game with 25 or more this season. He hit
In addition, Desert received 12 points from Gunnar Mogolis, and 10 points from Andre Hawkins. Both are guards.
For Miramar, reserve Jaylen Hinson came off the bench to tally a team-best 17 points. Starters Kobe Satti and Blake Seits each added 11 points.
No. 13 Mt. San Jacinto 104, No. 7 San Bernardino Valley 70: At San Jacinto, the visiting Wolverines might be the North Division titlists, but their hopes for a high seed in the CCCAA state playoffs took a hit when the Eagles swamped them by 34 points. It was the first PCAC loss for SBVC (21-6 overall, 8-1 PCAC).
MSJC (21-5, 6-3 PCAC) scored at least 50 points in each half, aided by 18 offensive rebounds. The foul-fest also saw the Eagles make 31-of-39 foul shots, while the Wolverines were a touch better at 32-for-40 in the 2 1/2-hour
Eagles guard David Thompson led the way with 27 points, while four of his teammates also scored in double figures.
For SBVC, guard Damani Washington tallied 12 of his 20 points at the foul line. The ballclub entered the week ranked fourth among Southland schools, so if they drop even one position, they will be forced to play a third-round playoff game on the
Palomar 66, MiraCosta 59: At Oceanside, the visiting Comets won to prevent a complete last-place showing to catch the Spartans for a share of fifth place in the annual North County battle at Crosswoods Gymnasium. No game report was filed by either school
