COD (3-8; 1-0) turned a close game into a laugher late, as the Roadrunners opened up Conference play with a win over the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville (1-11; 0-1), 94-80.

Desert had four of its five starters in double figures as the Roadrunners would let Victor Valley back into the game multiple times in the first half. The Rams were fully content with standing aside as Desert built a 13-point lead with 5 minutes left in the first half, but simple mistakes proved costly for Desert. What should have been a blow out from the tip turned into a narrow lead for the home side at the break, 49-46.

Early in the second half, both teams would go back-and-forth exchanging the lead and tying the game. The final time the game was tied was at 53-53 with 17:17 left in the game, from that point on, Desert would hold a lead throughout the rest of the game.

Freshman guard Joziaha Winfrey (Desert Hot Springs H.S.) led all scorers off of the bench, scoring 2 of his 20 points in the first half, shooting 7 of 14 from the field and hitting 6 of his 9 free throws, all while grabbing 7 total rebounds and leading the team in steals (2).

Sophomore starting guard D.J. Adams (Moreno Valley H.S.) would lead all starters with 10 of his 19 points in the first half, shooting 6 of 15 from the field and snagging his second double-double of the 2021-22 season when he had 12 assists on the night.

Sophomore starting forward Abraham Bell (Twentynine Palms H.S.) scored 4 of his 15 points in the first half and would grab his third double-double of the season when Bell led the team in rebounds with 13 total boards and blocks (2) on the night.

Sophomore guard D'Shaun Barrett (Twentynine Palms H.S.) scored 10 of his 13 in the first half and shot 3 of 8 from three-point range and freshman starting forward Koby Alvarez (Rancho Mirage H.S.) scored all 12 of his points in the first half, shooting 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.

Freshman starting center Garrett Hayden (Palm Desert H.S.) scored 8 of his 10 points in the first half on 5 of 7 shooting from the field.

The Roadrunners will continue IEAC play by traveling to Palo Verde (7-5) on Saturday, December 18 at 3p.  The next home game for Desert is on Thursday, December 30 at 6p, as the Roadrunners host the Imperial Valley Arabs (0-9).

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Story & Photo provided by COD Sports Information.