Coyotes play second-straight OT game

East County Sports staff report

CYPRESS —- In what is believed to be a first in the history of the Cuyamaca College men’s basketball programs, the Coyotes went into overtime of a second straight contest but fell to host Cypress College, 87-83, at Johnson Gymnasium on Tuesday (Dec. 7).

Although records are incomplete, it’s the first set of back-to-back overtime games since the programs started, but the Coyotes did come close one other time.

Early in the 2005-06 season, Cuyamaca was sporting a 3-0 record when they lost to Mt. San Jacinto, 81-70. Two games later, the ‘Yotes dropped an 83-77 decision to East Los Angeles.

However, Cuyamaca bounced back to start another winning streak, going on to post the best record in school history at 18-13 overall, If the school would’ve won both of the overtime decisions over a 3-game span, it would’ve been a 20-victory campaign.

For Cypress to win, Ramiah Adedigba scored a season-high 42 points to lead the host Chargers, Paul Head added 14 points while Trent Goldman neared a double-double once again, with nine points and ten rebounds.

Cuyamaca mounted an early 20-7 lead, then expanded the advantage to 17 before halftime yet couldn’t hold it.

According to Cypress media relations, “Ramiah Adedigba took over in the second half, and though the Coyotes remained in the lead, his offensive domination kept the Chargers in the game. A three from Adedigba cut the deficit to eleven, but the Coyotes would answer and the Chargers found themselves down 14 with 10 minutes to go. Cypress scored 11 straight points to initiate their comeback and bring them within three, 61-58. Adedigba traded baskets with the Coyotes and two made free throws from Trent Goldman tied the score at 69 apiece. The two teams went back and forth as the half came to a close, but a questionable call leading to two free throws by Cuyamaca put the Coyotes up by two with only four seconds left. The Chargers knew who was getting the ball and Adedigba drove the length of the court to score a layup as time expired, sending the game into overtime, 78-78. Ramiah continued his dominance into the overtime period, scoring seven of the nine points for the Chargers. Cypress would control overtime and defeat the Coyotes, 87-83.”

For Cuyamaca (3-5), Ray King led the scorers with 27 points, followed by 18 from Anthony McManus. The Chargers moved to 6-5.

Cuyamaca opened Pacific Coast Athletic Conference action this week with a two-game road trip to San Diego City (Wednesday) and MiraCosta (Friday).

Grossmont gets Brahma’d

WOODLAND HILLS —- Grossmont College also played just one ballgame last week, falling to L.A. Pierce College, 84-78, in non-conference action held Saturday (Dec. 11) on the west end of the San Fernando Valley.

The Griffins (2-8) open PCAC action this week with a homestand against Southwestern (Wednesday) at Imperial Valley (Friday). Both contests start at 6 p.m. and fans (with masks) are welcome.