Men's Hoops Opens Season with a Split at Garcia Classic

The MSJC men's basketball team split a pair of games this weekend at the Frank Garcia Classic in Palm Desert, losing to West LA and winning big against Grossmont.

On Friday night MSJC fell behind by 14 at halftime 59-45 and despite making some second half runs came up short against West LA 105-94.  Brandon Fredrick led all scorers in the game with 28 points while Lenzell Simmons added 17 and Mekhi Hill reached double figures with 10 for the Eagles.  Simmons also led MSJC in rebounding on the night with 10.

Saturday MSJC answered back with an easy win over Grossmont College 106-67.  The Eagles forged ahead by a score of 47-33 at the half and then went on to out score the Griffons 59-34 in the second half.  Fredrick once again led the way on offense for MSJC with 21 points, Simmons was next with 18 for the Eagles.  Latravian Glover added 13 points for the Eagles and Michael Clark had 12 to go along with his game high 7 assists.  Jamaal Barnes came off the bench to add 10 points in the victory as 12 different MSJC players scored in the game.  MSJC also out rebounded the Griffons 49-32 on the evening and shot 52.6% on the evening including going 9 of 22 from three point range.

The Eagles now 1-1 on the season will play their home opener on Friday night when they host Rio Hondo College at 7 pm.  Friday's game will be the second game of a doubleheader with the women's team who takes on Palomar at 5.