Comeback Surge Dampened in Battle of Top-25 Teams

The seventh-ranked Santiago Canyon College men's basketball team hosted the 23^rd ranked and undefeated Mt. San Antonio College Mounties on home hardwood Wednesday night in non-conference action. After staring down the barrel of a 14-point deficit to start the game, the Hawks brought the game to a tie score just before the end of the first half. However, a cold second half axed SCC's chances of a victory leading to an 88-73 defeat.

It was a rocky start for the one-loss Hawks as the Mounties busted out of the gates on a 16-2 run. Nevertheless, a crucial offensive surge in the ladder stages of the first half made things interesting.

Sophomore guard Isaiah Arthurton got the ball rolling with a three pointer after returning at the 10-minute mark. After a free throw by the Mounties, freshman guard Eli Arthurton matched his brother's efforts with a triple backed by two free throws to bring the Hawks within nine points. Sophomore guard Kai Smith kissed two points off the glass two minutes later, followed by two more three pointers from I. Arthurton. E. Arthurton snapped a triple home two possessions later bringing the score to an knotted 33-all with just under four minutes remaining.

Mt. SAC was able to put together a mini run to close out the first half to bring the score to 44-37 at the conclusion of the opening 20 minutes.

The second half was equally as competitive, but the Mounties strong three-point shooting and rebounding was able to keep the Hawks at an arm's length. Sophomore guard Joey Longo continued to chip away at the deficit by hitting a three pointer and flushing a free throw on consecutive possessions, while freshman guard Toney Colley converted an and-one play to bring the score to 48-47 with 15 minutes remaining.

It was a teeter-totter effect as both teams traded baskets as the clock ticked on. However, the Mounties closed the game out on an 18-8 run that handed the Hawks their second loss of the season.

Santiago Canyon shot a lowly 21.3 from long range that contributed to a 35.5 overall shooting percentage. Furthermore, they were dominated on the glass as Mt. SAC out rebounded SCC by a ratio of 54-29 and sent the Mounties to the line 26 times.

Not a single Hawks surpassed the 20-point mark for the first time this season. The bench carted the two highest scorers with E. Arthurton leading the way with 16 points. Freshman guard Trevor Manning followed with 14 points on an efficient 6-for-10 night shooting.

I. Arthurton hit four three pointers en route to 12 points, while Smith finished with 11 points. Colley led the team with 11 rebounds.