Eagles Lose Heartbreaker in Men's Hoops

The MSJC men's basketball team suffered their first loss in Inland Empire Athletic Conference play on Wednesday night as they fell to visiting Victor Valley 79-77.

The Eagles had several chances to pull away during the game, but could never quite put away the Rams who finally took the lead for the first time with 4:11 left in the game when they hit a three point shot to take a 72-70 lead.  MSJC would eventually tie the game at 77, but a foul call with 14 seconds remaining sent the Rams to the free-throw line where they would connect on one of two to reclaim the lead.  The Eagles leading scorer on the season Jamaal Barnes had an opportunity to give MSJC the lead back with 4 seconds remaining but his 10 foot jumper went in and out and the Eagles were forced to foul resulting in the two point loss.

Barnes finished the night with 24 points, while Lenzell Simmons led the Eagles with a game high 27.  Kamien Cederlind had 13 for the Eagles and Chidi Okwarabizie had a game best 17 rebounds in the loss.

The loss drops the Eagles to 7-9 overall on the season and 3-1 in IEAC action, Victor Valley improved to 5-12 and 2-2.  MSJC will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Chaffey for a 3 pm game, the Eagles return home next Wednesday when they host College of the Desert at 7 pm.