The Knights were looking to win their second tournament championship of the season after making it to the title game of the Grossmont tournament against the host, but fell to the Griffins, 74-68, on Sunday evening.
Leonard Allen scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked six shots in the championship game and was named to the all-tournament team.
He averaged 18 points, 8.7 rebounds, and five blocks in three games over the weekend and it was the third consecutive tournament that Allen has been selected to an all-tournament team. He was also chosen at the Hancock and Citrus tournaments.
The Knights started the weekend with a thrilling 54-52 win over Cuesta where Spencer Mattox put in the game-winning layup with five seconds remaining after grabbing a offensive rebound. Mattox, who scored in double figures in all three games at the Grossmont tournament, had 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the opening round victory.
Allen had 18 points to go with 13 rebounds and four blocks in the two-point win.
In the semifinals against Cypress on Saturday, Allen led the Knights to a 72-65 win over Cypress with a season-high 24 points and five blocks. Taylor Nelson had 14 points and eight assists, while Mattox put in 15 points.
In the title game against Grossmont, the Knights went ahead by as many as 12 points in the first half, but that lead did not last long as the Griffins got back into it and took a 47-44 lead six minutes into the second half.
The Knights regained a 56-52 advantage, but Grossmont responded with a 14-2 run to go up by eight with 2:42 remaining and held on to win.
Mattox had 17 points and four assists. Taylor Nelson provided 14 points and five rebounds off the bench.
The Knights will wrap up non-conference play during the Saddleback tournament which begins on Thursday, December 17. The Knights are scheduled to play L.A. Trade Tech at 1:00 p.m.
