Mounties’ basketball sweep L.A. Trade Tech
Both of the Mt. SAC basketball teams made a clean sweep of Los Angeles Trade Tech as the men’s and women’s basketball teams earned victories Fri. Jan. 15 at Mt. SAC gym. The women’s team used a strong second half to overcome a 32-25 halftime deficit to win the first game 61-50. The nightcap saw the Men’s team outlasting LA Trade Tech 90-87 in overtime.
The early game saw the women’s team winning its first league game of the year.
“We should win (league games),” head coach Laura Beeman said. “A win is a win, but I am not happy with the way we played tonight.”
The game started auspiciously as it had to be interrupted several times during the first couple of minutes because of the shot clock not functioning properly. When the game was finally able to continue, L.A. Trade Tech jumped on the board first with four straight free throws.
Tech continued to apply pressure, shooting 40 percent in the first half, including 2-of-4 from the 3-point line to take a 32-25 halftime lead. Mt. SAC only shot 25.8 percent and 0-of-5 from 3-point country.
Niauni Brown led the visitors with 13 points, while Barbara Holiday pitched in nine. Heather Sutherland and Aja Miller each tallied eight points.
The second half however was a different story. Mt. SAC was able to make shots that they couldn’t in the first half, and slowly chipped away at the L.A. Trade Tech lead. Mt. SAC finally took the lead 33-32 at 16:42 remaining in the second half.
Ashley Adams scored 15 points and seven rebounds, including six of the eight points in the beginning of the second half to take the lead. Brittney Lewis added 14 points and Kimiere Hawkins added 13 including 7-of-7 from the free throw line.
The Mounties’ defense held Tech to only 17.6 percent shooting including 0-of-4 from 3-point country, allowing 18 points the entire second half.
“We didn’t play hard in the first half,” Beeman said. “We picked up the intensity in the second half. When you pick up the intensity, you execute better and played better defense.”
Joanna Matthews scored all five of her points in the second half from the free-throw line to help Mt. SAC pull away for the victory.
The men’s win makes five in a row for the team heading into next week’s league opener against Compton College.
“We didn’t play well tonight,” Mounties’ head coach Allen Caveness said. “ It is an ugly win. Conference games will be difficult. We are fortunate to get the win.”
Antonio Biglow led all scorers with 37 points seven rebounds and four assists. Laquenten Jones added 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out late in the second half, while Kaimyn Pruit tallied a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
A slow start prompted Biglow to become more of a passer than a scorer, but then picked up in the second half as he scored 30 of his 37 points in the second half and overtime, including the final four free throws to seal the game.
Jones picked up the scoring early in the game as he scored four of the team’s first six field goals. Biglow finally connected on his first field goal with 4:30 remaining in the first half.
“The whole game was a dog fight, from beginning to end,” Biglow said. My shots weren’t falling in the beginning, and the coached asked me to be more passive and play smart.”
Clifford Sutherland led the visitors with 22 points and six rebounds. Austin Bowen added 18 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out and Jason Williams chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Mt. SAC hosts another doubleheader against Compton College this Friday as tip-off for the women’s game will be 5:30 p.m. and the men’s will follow at 7:30 p.m.
Henry Montemayor
Staff Writer
