SCC Grinds Out Win Over Fresno Pacific

It would be difficult to blame Southern California College’s basketball team if it expected an easy victory Tuesday night over Fresno Pacific, which entered the game 7-13 overall and 2-3 record in NAIA District 3 action.

But the host Vanguards did well to escape with a 65-59 victory in front of 425 fans at SCC.

“I think it was a tougher game than the players expected,” SCC Coach Bill Reynolds said. “They are a very physical team. I think our guys were remembering Fresno from the Chapman Tournament and didn’t think they were that tough. So, we had to work to grind out a victory.”

Although the Vanguards (4-2, 17-4) led during most of the first half, they didn’t play with all the fast-break muscle they have previously shown. Junior guard Ken Bardsley missed his first four shots and was 3 for 7 at halftime. Junior guard Randy McAllister, a quick, high-scoring player, hit 2 of 6 from the field for 4 points, all in the first half.

The Vanguards looked like they had a different attitude when they began the second half with a 32-20 lead. Senior guard Sherwin Durham and senior forward Greg Ward capitalized on several Sunbird turnovers and kicked the Vanguards into gear with some fast breaks.

Durham, who led all scorers with 21 points, could not miss in the first five minutes of the second half, hitting three shots in a row, two capitalizing on Fresno Pacific miscues.

Although SCC led by as many as 12 in the second half, the Sunbirds hung on with the help of freshman forward Brian Falls, who led his team with 20 points. Falls hit 5 of 9 from the field and 4 of 4 at the line in the second half.

But the Sunbirds couldn’t find a hole in the Vanguard zone defense and spent much of their energy, trying to drive to the basket--or at least get within shooting range. SCC leading 55-44 with 5:05 left, began a stall and kept the ball floating around in the back court, pressuring Fresno Pacific into fouls.

FRESNO PACIFIC (59)--Schmidt 2, Salata 12, Heinrich 10, Taylor 4, Maytubby 10, Falls 20, Brooks 1.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGE (65)--Anderson 6, Aviles 8, Bardsley 7, Durham 21, Ward 10, McAllister 4, Tibbs 4, Bruce 3.

Halftime--SCC, 32-20.