Men's Basketball Can't Overcome SBVC on the Road

The MSJC men's basketball team trailed by just one point at the half on Wednesday night, but had trouble scoring in the second half as they lost on the road at San Bernardino Valley 80-61.

The Eagles got 17 first half points from Jamaal Barnes Wednesday against the Wolverines and 7 each from Kamien Cederlind and Mekhi Hill in the first twenty minutes, but still trailed 36-35 at the break.  A five point run by SBVC opened the second half and gave the Wolverines the breathing room they would need to slowly pull away the rest of the contest.  A three point basket by SBVC's Brandon Betson with 14:57 to play gave the Wolverines a 12 point lead and the Eagles could not reduce the lead under double digits after that.

Barnes finished the night with a team high 24 points, Cederlind and Hill each had 10.  Hill also finished with a team high 9 rebounds while Chidi Okwarabizie had 8 as MSJC out rebounded the bigger Wolverines on the night 43-38.

The loss drops MSJC to 9-11 overall on the season and 5-3 in Inland Empire Athletic Conference action while SBVC improved to 15-5 and 6-2 in league.

The Eagles will hit the road again on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Joshua Tree to take on Copper Mountain College at 3 pm.  MSJC defeated Copper Mountain in overtime back on December 18th 87-86.  The Eagles return home next Wednesday January 29th when they host Barstow College as part of a doubleheader with the women's team.  Games on the 29th are set for 5 & 7 pm.