Huskies Avenge Their Lone Loss, Beat Copper Mountain 86-69

by Cerwin D. Haynes

(photos courtesy of Tadzio Garcia and East Los Angeles College Basketball)

Lead by a monster performace by forward Kealen Allen, the ELAC Huskies (9-1) outpaced the Fighting Cacti of Copper Mountain (4-6) 86-69 and go 3-0 at the Riverside Community College Tournament this weekend. Allen, who was named to the All-Tournament team, was hyper-efficient shooting the ball (12-14 from the field) and rabid on the glass en route to a 31-point, 17-rebound performance.

The Huskies were determined not to suffer a second loss to the Fighting Cacti: ELAC controlled this one from the first few minutes. Anytime Copper Mountain made a run and/or got close to tying the score, ELAC would push the lead back out to an arm's distance. The Huskies opened the game on a 9-0 run and would lead 11-2 at the 16:29 mark in the first half. Copper Mountain responded with eight straight points to close within one point at 11-10 and then again at 15-14. But at the 8:07 mark an Allen dunk would spark another Husky run, a 10-0 spurt to increase their lead to 25-14. ELAC would enter haltime up 38-24.

In the second half, Copper Mountain would only get a close as nine points (39-30, 17:43 mark) before the Huskies would ultimately build their lead to as many as 21 points (69-48, 7:08 mark) and hold on. 

HUSKY BITS:

• Allen's 12-14 shooting buoyed a strong team shooting performance of 51.7%. Forward Jordan Polynice made five of his seven shots, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds (five offensive).
• ELAC held Copper Mountain to 36.7% shooting.
• Only one three-point shot was made between both teams (CMC 1-12, ELAC 0-6).
• Since their lone loss to Copper Mountain, the Huskies have won five straight.

NEXT GAME:

After a long stretch of tourney games with a couple of road games in between, the Huskies finally will make their home debut SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14th! The visiting team with be the Falcons of Cerittos College. Tip-off is at 6pm.