KNIGHTS BEAT IVC 86-66 FOR 6TH STRAIGHT WIN
The Knights improved to 20-5 overall and 4-0 in the PCAC South after an 86-66 home win over Imperial Valley, their sixth in a row and eighth victory in their last nine games.
The Knights improved to 20-5 overall and 4-0 in the PCAC South after an 86-66 home win over Imperial Valley, their sixth in a row and eighth victory in their last nine games.
Wonder Smith made 4-of-5 three-pointers in the first half and ended up with a team-high 16 points.
Darien McClain, who had missed the previous two games due to injury, was back in the lineup for the Knights and contributed 12 points off the bench.
City jumped out to an 18-8 lead, but Imperial Valley's hot shooting in the first half (59.1%) kept the Arabs close until the final five minutes when the Knights went on a 16-6 run to gain a 46-31 halftime lead.
The Knights also shot well in the first half (53.1%), but the biggest difference between the teams was three-point shooting. The Knights went 7-for-12 from three-point territory in the first half, while Imperial Valley went 0-for-1.
City started the second half with a 17-7 run to go ahead by 25 points with 13:18 remaining in the game. Imperial Valley made one last run at the Knights, cutting their lead down to 13 with 3:31 left, but that would be as closest the Arabs got.
The Knights lost the rebound battle, 42-33, and Imperial Valley outscored City, 17-8, on second chance points, but the Knights used their defense and speed to beat the Arabs. The Knights forced IVC into 25 turnovers which led to 26 points.
The Knights also had a 33-13 advantage on fast break points.
City's Jahmere Mitchell had a strong overall game with nine points, six assists, four steals, and three rebounds.
Next up for the Knights will be a home game vs. Mesa on Friday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m.
