The San Diego City College men's basketball team has advanced to the CCCAA state championship quarterfinals for the first time since 2009 after a 113-81 rout of Riverside on Saturday night. Sophomore point guard Darien McClain dropped a career-high 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting, including 8-of-10 on 3-pointers, to lead City to its 14th consecutive victory.
The Knights are one of eight remaining teams that will travel to Las Positas College in Livermore, Calif. for a shot at the state championship. The quarterfinals begin on Thursday, March 9 with game times and match-ups to be determined.
A total of five Knights scored in double figures, including Marcus Brumsey who put in 16 to go along with five rebounds and five assists. Robert McCoy provided 15 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Wonder Smith had 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Jahmere Mitchell added 12 points.
Saturday's game was tied at 21-21 with 10:14 remaining in the first half when PCAC South Player of the Year McClain caught fire. He made four of his six first half 3-pointers during a three minute stretch that helped the Knights gain a 39-27 lead that they would never lose.
McClain scored 21 points in the first half and his hot hand seemed to be contagious as the team shot 59.5 percent from the floor in the first half and the result was a 59-37 halftime lead.
Smith hit 3-of-6 from 3-point territory and the team made 10-of-17 3-pointers in that first half.
McClain and the Knights never cooled off in the second half and they had the game in hand early in the second half after taking a 74-44 lead with 15:36 left.
Riverside was led by Brandon Thomas' 22 points and six rebounds. The Tigers shot 49.2 percent but it wasn't enough to keep up with City's 59.4 percent from the field.
The Knights turned 18 Riverside turnovers into 27 points and outscored the Tigers 11-0 on second chance points.
City made a season-high 12 three-pointers on 22 attempts.
