ELAC men’s basketball a game out of first
PASADENA, CA — And they’re back. Just when it looked like the East Los Angeles College men’s basketball team was fighting just to make the playoffs, the Huskies find themselves a game out of first place in the South Coast Conference North Division.
The No. 11 Southern California-ranked Huskies, 16-6 overall and 3-2 in the SCC North, won 95-75 at Pasadena City College (6-16, 1-4) tonight.
The Huskies end the first round of conference play behind co-leaders Chaffey College (18-7, 4-1), who is No. 12 state-ranked, and No. 12 Southern California-ranked Mt. San Antonio College (14-6, 4-1).
LA Trade Tech (12-10, 3-2) is tied with ELAC for third place. The Beavers created an SCC North logjam, with one game separating four teams, with a stunning 73-68 upset of Mt. SAC last Friday.
Against Pasadena, there were four lead changes and two ties in the first half. The Huskies fell behind 15-6 with 14:10 left in the half. ELAC then went on a 23-6 run that culminated with a layup from sophomore guard Chandler Redix (Cathedral High School).
The half ended with ELAC leading, 45-37. Freshman forward Roderick Williams (Price HS) scored 14 of his 23 points in the first half. Williams had five first-half rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot. Redix scored 13 first half points.
In the second half, Williams connected on a three-point play, a jump shot and a free throw, with 12:52 remaining in the game to give the Huskies a double-digit lead, 57-46, one they would not relinquish.
That play began a 16-7 run, which ended in 70-53 ELAC lead when sophomore forward Zavier Harris (Temecula HS) scored from a tip-in with 8:30 left in the game.
ELAC’s largest lead was 93-70. With 96 ticks left on the clock, Williams stole the ball and dished it to freshman guard Robert Fuller (St. Bernard HS), who made a layup for the 23-point lead.
Four Huskies scored in double digits. Williams and sophomore guard Sequan Walker (LB Cabrillo HS) led all scorers with 23-points apiece. Redix pumped in 18 points and sophomore guard Zeno Lake (Compton HS) scored double digits for the sixth straight game with 14.
Pasadena also had four men score in double digits, led by point guard Eris Winder with 22 points.
The Huskies connected on 52.4 percent (33-of-63) of their shots to 37.1 (23-of-62) for Pasadena. ELAC has the best percentage shooting in the state. The Huskies outscored Pasadena from the bench, 38-25.
In a showdown that has a huge bearing on the SCC North title; ELAC plays at Mt. SAC on Friday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. If the Huskies win, they are still in the title hunt. A loss puts them two games back with four to play.
story submitted by Tadzio Garcia