Vikings win consolation title at Santa Barbara Holiday Classic

SANTA BARBARA – Long Beach City College closed out another weekend of tournament play with an 89-65 victory over Oxnard College on Saturday in the consolation bracket final of the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic at Santa Barbara City College.

The victory capped a 2-1 showing for the Vikings. LBCC dropped a narrow 92-87 contest to Bakersfield College in the tourney opener on Thursday but bounced back to defeat College of the Desert 82-70 on Friday.

The Vikings got a huge team effort in Saturday's final victory over Oxnard as four of Long Beach's five starters posted double-doubles. Lorenzo Marsh totaled 22 points and 14 rebounds, Chris Herrera posted 18 points and 10 assists, Shane Hunter had 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Kameron Mayhan added 12 points and 10 boards. The final starter, Kemaree Germany, contributed 20 points to the win.

Long Beach rallied in the second half to defeat Desert on Friday. With the score tied up 34-34 at the break, LBCC outscored COD 48-36 over the final 20 minutes.

Mayhan put up another double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Marsh led LBCC with 20 points and added 8 rebounds. Bonard Johnson Jr added 14 points and 6 rebounds while Herrera chipped in with 11 points and 8 assists.

A late second-half rally by the Vikings came up short in the loss to Bakersfield on Thursday. LBCC got within three points with a minute remaining but couldn't overcome the Renegades.

All five LBCC starters scored in double figures. Johnson Jr poured in a game-high 20 points, Marsh had 13 points and 7 rebounds, Herrera totaled 15 points and 6 assists, Mayhan posted 13 points and 9 boards, while Hunter contributed 12 points.

Long Beach moved to 9-4 overall on the season. The Vikings are back in action on Dec. 14 with a South Coast Conference interdivision game at Mt. San Antonio College.