FOOLING AROUND—ELAC freshman guard Chandler Redix, No. 4, fools the Compton offense while air bound for a layup as he instead passes around a Tartar to sophomore forward Richard Bivens in a 93-86 Husky win. (Photo by Tadzio Garcia)

Posted: Jan 29, 2016

ELAC men's basketball wins close game

COMPTON, CA — The East Los Angeles College men’s basketball team won a key South Coast Conference North Division game with a come from behind 93-86 win against El Camino-Compton Center.

ELAC, ranked No. 4 in the state, improved to 20-2 overall and 3-0 in SCC North Division play. The high flying Tartars fell to 12-10 and 2-2.

There were three lead changes and two tied scores before Compton built a double-digit lead, 30-20 with 5:41 remaining in the half when Tartar freshman guard Alonzo Taylor (Lakewood High School) connected on two free throws.

Each time ELAC then rallied, Compton answered back to take double-digit leads—seven times—and led 44-34 at the half.

Compton had its largest lead in the second half, 51-38, with 18:17 remaining in the game.

The lengthy ELAC rally that ensued had the fans from both colleges noisy as if there was just seconds left in the game.

“The Huskies found a flow on offense in the second half followed by the defense putting together a stretch of limiting Compton to just one shot (on the Tartar offensive glass), said ELAC Head Coach John Mosley.

ELAC chipped away at the Compton lead and led 66-65 with 7:48 left when sophomore forward Richard Bivens (Bakersfield Ridgeview HS) hit two free throws.

ELAC built its largest lead, 77-70, with 5:44 remaining in the game when sophomore guard Iziahiah Sweeny (Compton HS) connected on a three-point play, assisted by sophomore guard Miles Ford (Alhambra HS).

Compton followed with a 7-2 run and tied it at 79-79 with 3:45 left. After three lead changes, ELAC had an 86-84 lead with 2:14 left.

The Huskies and took control of the game with a 7-2 run while the ELAC fans controlled the noise. ELAC had a win against a good Compton team according to Mosley.

While ELAC outshot Compton 50.8 percent to 39.2 and had more blocked shots, 10-4, Compton scored more points off turnovers (27-18) and had more fast break points (22-16).

ELAC sophomore forward Arinze Anakwenze (John Muir HS) had a game high three blocked shots.

Six Huskies scored in double figures led by Sweeny who scored 24 points. Freshman guard Chandler Redix (Cathedral HS) scored 14, Ford scored 10 and Bivens had the games only double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

ELAC sophomore guard Jarrell Tate (Birmingham, Alabama Wenonah HS) and freshman forward Zeno Lake (Compton HS) came off the bench and scored 17 and 10 points, respectively.

Two Compton guards each scored 19 points, sophomore Marquise Harris (L.A. Jordan HS) and Kyvonte Davis (Lancaster Knight HS). Freshman guard Michael Chavers (Locke HS) scored 18 points for the Tartars.

The Huskies host crosstown city rival L. A. Trade Tech College (2-17, 1-2) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. preceded by the women’s game at 5 p.m.

Trade Tech took No. 1 Saddleback to the wire and lost 62-57 on Nov. 27. All records are off when these rivals ELAC and Trade Tech meet. “We got it. We play one game at a time,” said Ford.

story submitted by Tadzio Garcia