Men's Cagers Settle For 2nd Place At Skip Robinson Classic

In a preview of coming attractions, or otherwise known as the 2019 South Coast Conference North Division race, the Pasadena City College men's basketball team put out its best effort, but fell a little short in a 71-66 loss to the Beavers in the championship game of PCC's 2nd Skip Robinson Classic on Saturday afternoon.

The Lancers (4-3) rallied from an 11-point deficit, 53-42, to take a 65-64 lead on Jordan Simpson's layup with two minutes remaining. In a game that featured 13 lead changes, LATT grabbed the lead for good when Tyler Jelks sank a 3-point bomb for a 67-66 Beavers advantage with 1:48 left.

For PCC, All-Tournament selections Josiah Woods and Chris Blount (and nine rebounds) each scored 14 points while point guard Khristion Courseault added 12 points and four assists. 

For Trade Tech (4-2), Erickson Gonzalez-De Leon scored a game-high 21 points off the bench and Fredelin Dela Cruz added 18 points and 17 rebounds. The two players were also picked All-Tournament. 

In other final games on Saturday, LA Valley took third place by defeating Santiago Canyon, 60-53, behind 16 points and 13 rebounds by Christian Hodge. In the fifth place final, Mt. San Antonio hung on to beat Pierce, 69-67, as Todd Rigsby scored 19 points. In the seventh place game, LA Southwest downed Barstow, 86-69, as the Cougars DeAndre Rice-Currie scored 26 points, making 13 of 15 shots from the floor.

On Wednesday, Nov. 21, the Lancers return to action with a non-conference road game at Glendale College. Tip-off is 6 p.m.

2018 ALL-SKIP ROBINSON CLASSIC TEAM
Fredelin Dela Cruz, LA Trade Tech, Fr. C
Erickson Gonzalez-De Leon, LA Trade Tech, Fr. G
Chris Blount, So. Forward, PASADENA CC
Josiah Woods, So. Guard, PASADENA CC
Christian Hodge, So. Guard, LA Valley
Daniel DeJoya, So. Guard, Mt. San Antonio