Long Beach Men's Basketball Defeats Santa Barbara, Goes 1-2 in Wild West Shootout

The Long Beach City College men's basketball team competed in the Wild West Shootout Tournament hosted by West LA College over the weekend and competed in three games. Despite going 1-2 in the tournament, the Vikings routed the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros, 65-47, and only lost by two points to both LA Valley and Pasadena.

In the victory over Santa Barbara, a tight game ensued at opening tip. After the Vaqueros grabbed an early four-point advantage, sophomore guard Breamon Richard drilled a three pointer to pull within a point of the lead. Richard continued on the next possession to flush a jumper to go ahead for the first time in the contest at 7-6 just five minute into action.

The lead continue to teeter-totter until the Vikings strung together a small scoring spurt highlighted by two free throws from sophomore guard Femi Omisile and a jumper off the hand of freshman guard Tyler Dees to snatch a 22-16 lead with a hair over six minutes remaining in the first half.

LBCC grabbed their largest lead of eight points towards the latter portion of the first half compliments of two points from freshman guard Matt Arrivas who hauled in a defensive rebound on the possession prior to set up his bucket. Richard capped off the opening 20 minutes of action by draining a triple, leading to a 32-23 advantage at halftime.

The Vikings reaming aggressive on the offensive end by making their way to the charity stripe twice in the opening six minutes of action. Dees was the main aggressor by cashing in a trio of free throws. Dees continued on to pick-pocket a Vaquero's potential pass to record a steal the following possession, thus setting up two points for freshman guard Christopher Pendley to hold a 41-27.

Richards continued to cart a hot hand by converting consecutive three pointers with the second one assisted by Dees. Dees followed by earning his right to the charity stripe twice more to convert three points. He later followed with another three pointer to give Long Beach a 55-34 lead at the halfway mark of the second half.

The Vikings continued to cruise in the final 10 minutes of play with sophomore guard Isaiah Keyes getting in on the action by notching four points. Richard capped off the scoring with two free throws in the contest en route to a 62-47 victory.

Dees finished the contest one board shy of a double-double by dropping 18 points and hauling in nine rebounds – eight on the defensive end. Richard flushed a game-high 22 points that included four rebounds and three steals.

Keyes followed with eight points and led the team with three assists.

The Vikings (2-7) will compete in the Saddleback Tournament beginning with a game against MiraCosta on Thursday, December 15 at 5 p.m.