Four Starters Combine for 70 Points in Win Over Palomar

Four San Diego City starters, including Dominic Hovasse who led with 20 points, combined for 70 points in Friday night's 88-81 home win over Palomar. It was the Knights' third straight win and their 10th in the last 11 to improve to 21-5 overall and 12-2 in the PCAC.

Victor Irhirhi totaled 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Kai Huntsberry added 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. NaShom Carter put in 15 points. 

Those four Knights combined to shoot 23-of-33 (69.7%) from the floor, 6-of-12 from the 3-point arc, and 18-of-19 from the free throw line to help get past a tough Palomar team.

Neither team held a lead larger than five points until the Knights used a 10-0 run midway through the second half to take a 62-50 lead. 

Palomar closed the gap to 69-66 with 5:47 left on a 3-pointer by Zadok Wilson, who led the Comets with 32 points and six rebounds.

Irhirhi heated up in the final minutes and scored eight straight points for the Knights, including back-to-back 3s to put them ahead, 81-71, with 1:26 remaining. 

The Comets stayed within reach by cutting City's lead down to five on a couple occasions in the final minute, but the Knights went 7-of-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the victory. 

The Knights shot 57.1% in the second half, while holding Palomar to 38.7%. City's Drew Cisse was strong on defense as he blocked nine shots and pulled down 10 rebounds. He is now second in the state with 3.2 blocks per game and third in total blocks with 80. 

Isaac Davis led City's bench with nine points and five assists. 

San Diego City will wrap up the PCAC season with a road game at MiraCosta on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and a home game on Friday, February 21 against Grossmont at 7 p.m.