Falcons Fall Short as Pirates’ Precision Sinks Folsom Lake

Modesto's Balanced Attack Too Much for Falcons to Handle

The Folsom Lake College Falcons fought valiantly at home on December 28, but they couldn't keep pace with the red-hot Modesto Junior College Pirates, who rolled to a decisive 103-61 victory. Despite moments of promise from the Falcons, the Pirates' efficiency and depth overwhelmed the home team.

The game began with Modesto asserting dominance, shooting an impressive 54.5% from the field and draining 14 three-pointers. By halftime, the Pirates had built a 47-24 lead, thanks to standout performances from Ylan Esso and Malachi Miller. 

Folsom Lake's starters struggled to find consistent rhythm, shooting just 35.7% from the field. Guard Dominic Faenzi led the Falcons with 13 points, while reserve Kendrick Burks provided a spark off the bench, adding 10 points and three steals. Despite their efforts, the Falcons found themselves unable to close the gap as Modesto continued to dominate on both ends of the floor.

The Falcons' defense had no answer for Modesto's ball movement and balanced scoring. The Pirates recorded an impressive 33 assists, spearheaded by Tyler Rattler, who dished out nine assists and grabbed eight rebounds.

Falcons head coach acknowledged the challenges posed by Modesto, stating, "We faced a very disciplined and talented team today. While we showed flashes of what we're capable of, we need to work on consistency and execution against tough opponents like Modesto."

The Falcons' reserves brought energy in the second half, narrowing the scoring gap slightly, but the Pirates' relentless attack never wavered. Modesto outscored Folsom Lake 56-37 in the second half, sealing the game with authority.

With the loss, the Falcons drop to 5-8 on the season and 0-1 in league play. They'll look to regroup and capitalize on lessons learned as they prepare for their next game. Despite the outcome, the team's effort and moments of individual brilliance offer hope for improvement moving forward.

For the Pirates, the victory marks their 10th win of the season and sets a strong tone for conference play. For the Falcons, the game serves as a reminder of the work required to compete at the highest level.