The No. 2 ranked Knights wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a slim 71-69 victory over No. 13 Cerritos on Thursday night to claim the 2nd Annual Clete Adelman Classic (MiraCosta College) championship.
The Knights made it to the title game of all seven tournaments they participated in and won five championships. They have won 12 consecutive games and improved their record to 19-2, which is their best start in team history.
City shot a poor 31.3 percent in the first half and Cerritos took advantage by building a 39-28 halftime lead. The Falcons took a 13-point lead, their largest of the game, early in the second half, but City was not done.
The Knights' bench players heated up from long distance and hit six 3-pointers in a four minute span to give City a 52-51 lead, their first since early in the first half. Isaac Davis knocked down the first of those 3s and was followed by three 3s from Riley Joseph, and two from Trevor Drake, including the one that gave them the lead with 9:24 remaining.
There were five lead changes down the stretch, but the Knights went up for good on Robert McCoy's layup with 47 seconds left that put City ahead, 70-69. Joseph made 1-of-2 free throws with 11 seconds on the clock to give City a two point lead.
On Cerritos' final possession, Keshaun Mack got a clean look at a tying 18-footer, but missed and the Knights kept their streak intact.
Before Thursday's championship victory, the Knights dispatched Los Angeles Pierce, 81-73, and Miramar, 97-82.
McCoy had 14 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks in the title game and was named to the all-tournament team along with Joseph who was a big part of the second half comeback with 12 points off the bench.
The Knights will begin conference play at home on Friday, January 12 at 6 p.m. vs. Cuyamaca. City has gone undefeated in the PCAC South the last two seasons, a streak of 18 games.
