Men's Basketball: Vikings open conference schedule with 64-49 win over Pasadena

Freshman Ahmad Malone (Chicago, IL) scored a game-high 17 points while freshman Justin Richardson (Firebaugh HS) totaled 12 points, six blocks, and six rebounds to help lead Long Beach City College to a 64-49 South Coast Conference interdivision win over Pasadena City College on Wednesday night at the LBCC Hall of Champions Gym.

The win improved Long Beach to 8-7 overall and snapped a three-game losing streak.

Sophomore Rolland Pearsall (Lawndale HS/Connors State) scored 10 of the Vikings' first 18 points on his way to leading LBCC to a 32-29 halftime lead. He went on to score 14 points and dish out four assists.

Long Beach blew the game open with a big run early in the second half. Pasadena tied up the contest 32-32 at the 17:50 mark before the Vikings responded with a 16-0 run. Malone scored seven points during the surge while Richardson chipped in six points. His layup with 13:05 to play gave the Vikings a commanding 48-32 advantage.

 Freshman Jeremiah Blandin (Poly HS) was just a rebound away from his third straight double-double. He totaled 10 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Ahmad Sofala (Jordan HS) also came up with nine points and five rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench.

Tey Williams led Pasadena (4-11) with 15 points while Darrell Childs had a game-high 10 rebounds to go with seven points.

Long Beach returns to action on Friday (Jan. 8) when the Vikings travel to East Los Angeles College for a 7 p.m. SCC interdivision game.