Men's Basketball Place 2nd At Santa Rosa Tournament

The Pasadena City College men's basketball team had a 5-game win streak snapped as Yuba edged the Lancers, 61-59, in the championship game of the 47th Santa Rosa Junior College Kris Kringle Tournament on Saturday.

Unranked PCC (6-5) nearly won back-to-back tournaments after grabbing first place at the Antelope Valley Tournament Dec. 1-3, but settled for second at SRJC (Dec. 14-16) despite giving state #5-ranked Yuba all it can handle.

The 49ers opened a 14-2 lead after PCC went eight minutes without a basket, missing 12 consecutive shots from the field. PCC battled back with a steal and dunk by Deen Abdur-Rahmann, then a steal by Shant Chenorhavorian and fast-break bucket by Jalen Vazquez that gave the Lancers a 20-19 lead. They took a 25-23 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the teams traded eight lead changes and four ties in a game that had a playoff feel. Abdur-Rahmann gave the Lancers their final lead on a 3-pointer at 52-51 with 3:29 remaining. Caden Flowers hit two free throws on the next possession as Yuba kept the advantage the remainder of the contest. 

For PCC, Myles Watkins scored 18 points with eight rebounds, Abdur-Rahmann tallied 10 points, five boars and four assists, Dylan Swillis totaled nine points, six rebounds and four steals, and Chenorhavorian made six of the team's 16 steals. Vazquez scored seven points and Barry Knight added six points off the bench on a pair of 3s.

Ultimately the team shooting a season-worst 34.3 percent from the field (24 of 70 shots) and its inability to get to the free throw line (just 3-for-5) prevented the Lancers from pulling off an upset.

In the semifinals, PCC took down tourney host Santa Rosa, 65-61. Abdur-Rahmann sealed the deal on a trey from the top of the 3-point circle that gave the Lancers a 60-59 lead with 2:38 left. Chenorhavorian went glass for a 3-pointer with a minute left that upped it to 63-59.

Watkins topped the scoresheet again on 17 points with nine rebounds, Chenorhavorian poured in 14 points (four 3s), Abdur-Rahmman scored 12 points, Vazquez was the surprise team rebound leader on 10 boards plus nine points and four assists, and Swillis chipped in eight points. 

In the tourney opener, the Lancers downed Mendocino, 77-66, as the PCC reserves came up with big contributions highlighted by Kaiden Fine totaling 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Backup center John Parmeter-Zapata was solid in his minutes with four points and five boards as was Jalyn White with two points, two steals and two assists. The bench combined to make 9-for-16 from the field, scored 20 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists. 

The starters were paced by Swillis' double-double on 15 points and 10 rebounds followed by Chenorhavorian with 13 points and six rebounds. Watkins and Abdur-Rahmann each notched 12 points while point guard Vazquez contributed five points and six assists. 

The Lancers next play at state #2-ranked Mt. San Jacinto on Dec. 30 in a 3 p.m. tip-off.