East Los Angeles College freshman forward Zeno Lake attempts a layup in a 105-82 non-conference divisional crossover win against Long Beach City College on Jan. 8. (Photo courtesy of Mario Villegas)

Posted: Jan 08, 2016

ELAC tops century mark in Long Beach win

MONTEREY PARK, CA — The East Los Angeles College men’s basketball team, 14-2 overall, won a divisional crossover game with a 105-82 rout against Long Beach City College in the South Gym.

The anticipated rematch of last season’s Elite Eight meeting, won by the Huskies 92-73 at Long Beach, began with ELAC dominating followed by a Vikings rally that pulled them within six points, down 49-43 at the half.

Long Beach held ELAC to just eight points in the paint in the first half.

ELAC turned the tables and opened the third quarter running with eight points scored in the paint during a 20-2 run.

Sophomore forward Richard Bivens (Ridgecrest HS) and freshman guard Chandler Redix (Cathedral HS) each scored seven points in the run.

ELAC sophomore guard Sequan Walker (Long Beach Cabrillo HS) grabbed a rebound and ran the length of the court to score a layup between three Vikings with 11:49 left to give the Huskies their biggest lead, 77-47.

Freshman guard Jarrell Tate (Birmingham, AL Wenonah HS) connected on a bank shot with 1:11 remaining for a 101-74 ELAC lead and the Huskies topped 100 points for the first time this season.

Bivens led the Huskies on offense with a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds. He added three blocked shots for the second time this season. ELAC had a total of 10 blocked shots.

Freshman forward Zeno Lake (Compton HS) scored a career-high 17 points for the Huskies. He also hauled in seven rebounds. It was the second consecutive game Lake came off the bench and scored in double figures.

Sophomore guard Izaihaih Sweeny (Compton HS) scored 15 points and had blocked three shots. Walker scored 13 points and Redix scored 12 points. Redix had a season-high eight assists and led the Huskies in steals with three.

ELAC guards, freshman Jalen Gilmore (L.A. Washington Prep HS) and sophomore Miles Ford (Alhambra High School) each scored two three-points shots. Gilmore was a perfect two-for-two.

The No. 6 Huskies (CCCAA State Poll) continue their non-conference divisional crossover games with a big test on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at Los Angeles Harbor College.

With three players added to its roster, Harbor (10-8) is a different team than the one ELAC defeated 76-64 on Dec. 6.

The Seahawks are currently one of the hottest teams in the state with a 6-1 record in its last seven games, including a close five point loss to No. 3 San Bernardino Valley College (20-2).

ELAC hosts El Camino College (2-13) on Friday Jan. at 7 p.m. in the South Gym.

story submitted by Tadzio Garcia