LBCC Men's Basketball Goes 1-2 in Chaffey Tournament, Defeats C.O.D. 90-74

The Long Beach City College men's basketball team completed play in the Chaffey Tournament this past weekend by going 1-2 which was highlighted by a 90-74 victory over the College of the Desert Roadrunners on Saturday. Unfortunately, they capped off tournament action Sunday by falling to the Citrus College Owls, 46-81.

In the victory, the Vikings saw four players in double-digit scoring en route to their highest offensive output of the season.

Sophomore guard Femi Omisile kicked off the scoring initiatives for the Vikings early by giving them the first points of the game with a jumper. Freshman guard Dwane Hicks followed a possession later by snapping the bottom of the net with a jumper leading to an early six-point advantage.

Despite sophomore guard Breamon Richard hitting a three pointer to put the Vikings up by two, the Roadrunners tied the game up shortly after and eventually snagged the lead. Nevertheless, a successful and-one play and two free throws off the hand of freshman guard William English helped Long Beach regain the lead nearing the halfway mark in the first frame with the scoreboard reading 18-17.

The Vikings began to heat up from beyond the arc in the latter minutes of the first half starting with Richard drilling a three pointer. Freshman guard Mark Neal Jr. followed suit a possession later by knocking down a triple, followed by another Richard three-pointer leading into a Long Beach timeout. Freshman guard Matt Arrivas came on strong in the final two minutes by recording seven points off three buckets which were all assisted by Richard en route to a 48-32 advantage at halftime.

Freshman center Charles Smith and Richard handled most all of the Viking's offense the opening 10 minutes of the second half with both of them combining for 19 points that stretched to the 8:40 mark. During that stretch, Smith recorded 10 points, while Richard was responsible for the other nine points to give them a 72-59 advantage.

Numerous players chipped in on the offensive from for the remainder of the second half en route to the 90-74 victory.

Richard earned a double-double by dishing out 12 dimes and dropping 24 points. He was active at the charity stripe by going 10-for-14 while also draining four three pointers.

Smith earned his third-consecutive double-digit scoring game by earning 15 points and 10 rebounds to pocket a double-double. Omisile was three rebounds shy of a double-double after hauling in seven board and scoring 12 points.

Arrivas had a strong offensive showing by recording 16 points as well.

The Vikings (4-12) will jump into South Coast Conference (SCC) action on Wednesday, January 18 by facing off against the L.A. Harbor College Seahawks at 5 p.m. in the Hall of Champions gymnasium.