Sophomore Chris Camper (Poly HS) posted his fifth double-double of the season in just eight games with 28 points and 14 rebounds to help lead the Long Beach City College men's basketball team to an 83-72 non-conference win over Santa Ana College on Tuesday in the Vikings' home opener.
With the victory, Long Beach improved to 6-2 overall this season.
Camper and the Vikings stormed out to a quick 7-2 lead. His jumper at the 14-minute mark gave him 10 of LBCC's 20 points and a 20-9 advantage. But Santa Ana began to slowly chip away. With Long Beach up 37-30, the Dons rallied for five straight points to get within two points at 37-35 with just under a minute left in the first half.
Santa Ana kept its hot streak going at the start of the second, opening on a 10-2 run to take its first lead. The Dons led 47-41 before freshman Rolland Pearson's (Lawndale HS) three-pointer stopped the run.
Down 49-44, freshman Breamon Richard (University HS) got hot, scoring LBCC's next 11 points. He made three consecutive three-pointers, his second regained the lead for the Vikings as part of a 22-6 run for Long Beach. LBCC was up 66-54 at the 11:26 mark in the second before cruising the rest of the way.
Richard nailed 5 of 10 three-pointers on his way to 17 points. He added five steals, five rebounds, and three assists. Pearsall also had a big game with 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Freshman Jeremiah Blandin (Poly HS) chipped in with eight points and nine rebounds.
On defense, Justin Richardson (Firebaugh HS) played huge underneath with a season-high eight blocks and seven rebounds.
Camper added four assists to his impressive 28-point, 14-rebound effort. He currently ranks fifth in the state averaging 24.6 points per game and is fifth among state leaders in rebounds at 10.0 per game. Right behind Camper at No. 6 in the state in rebounding is Blandin at 9.9 boards per game.
Tyson Powell led Santa Ana (0-6) with 20 points.
LBCC will take the next two weeks off and returns to action on December 11 when the Vikings host West Los Angeles College in a 5 p.m. non-conference game.