The San Diego City College men's basketball team claimed its second straight Knights Invitational championship after defeating Citrus, 85-74, in the title game on Saturday night. Freshman Robby Robinson poured in a game-high 25 points to go with 11 rebounds and two blocks.
Robinson, who totaled 40 points and 21 rebounds in the two tournament games this weekend, was named tournament Most Valuable Player.
He was joined on the all-tournament team by fellow freshman Kai Huntsberry, who contributed 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists off the bench against Citrus.
Sophomore Joseph Riley was also named to the all-tournament team after scoring 14 points off the bench against Barstow and nine points as a starter on Saturday.
The Knights held a 24-20 lead with 8:39 left in the first half when they started a 15-0 run over the next four minutes and 10 seconds to take a 39-20 lead, their largest of the game.
Citrus, who was led by Josh Caston's 17 points, cut City's lead down to 44-31 at halftime. The Knights held Citrus to 34.6 percent shooting in the first half, while hitting 55.6 percent of their shots.
Psalm Maduakor scored nine of his 15 bench points in the second half to help the Owls get within 10 points midway through the second half, but the Knights answered with a pair of Trevor Drake free throws and a timely 3-pointer from Robinson, his second of the game, to push the lead back up to 15.
Citrus made one last run at the Knights and cut it to 76-69 on a 3-pointer by Maduakor with 2:48 remaining, but Riley was able to hit four straight free throws and then Robinson put the game away with a layup after a steal by Adrian Byrd-Jelinek to give City an 82-71 lead with 42 seconds left on the clock.
This was the third time over the 13-year history of the Knights Invitational that these teams have met in the championship game, but the first time the Knights have come out on top.
City's next game will be against West Hills Coalinga on Thursday, November 8 at 5 p.m. That game will be played at Fullerton College as part of its tournament.
2018 Knights Invitational All-Tournament Team
Robby Robinson (SDCC) - MVP
Kai Huntsberry (SDCC)
Joseph Riley (SDCC)
Josh Caston (Citrus)
Psalm Maduakor (Citrus)
Leonard Stallings (Orange Coast)
