Oiler Cagers Still Hoping to Stop Skid

Locked into a school-record losing streak of 13 games, the West Los Angeles College Oilers will play at Los Angeles Trade Tech at 7:30 p.m. Friday and host Los Angeles Southwest at 7:30 Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Overland Avenue and Culver Boulevard.

The Oilers are 5-17 overall and 0-7 and in last place in the Mountain Valley Conference. The league is led by Canyons (17-5, 5-1) followed by Southwest (14-9, 4-2) and Antelope Valley (14-13, 4-3). Trade Tech (13-8, 3-3) is tied for fourth with Valley (13-9, 3-3).

Trade Tech has beaten the Oilers, 59-47. Scoring on 54.7% of shots from the floor and 59.3% of free throws, Tech is averaging 79.2 points a game and holding opponents to 66.1. Guard Carl Pitts, the league’s leading rebounder (12.4) and second-highest scorer (20.4 points), and guard Jeff Nolan (19 points, 9.9 rebounds) lead the team. Forward Terrell Johnson is adding 14.4 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Southwest beat the Oilers in mid-January, 70-68. The team’s leading scorers are guard Darryl Butler (18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds) and forward Manuel Carolina (12.7 points). Forward Iran Gordon is pulling down 8.6 rebounds. The team, hitting 47.1% from the field and 62.6% from the line, is scoring 77.2 points against 76.5 for opponents.

In league play, the Oilers’ leading players are center Robert Bloom (14 points, 6.2 rebounds), guard Angelo Hudson (12 points) and forward Frank Lopez (7.5 points, 9.7 rebounds). The team is scoring 44.7% from the floor and 65.1% from the line. The Oilers are averaging 59.9 points a game but giving up 68.2.

Last week the Oilers lost to Antelope Valley, 57-52.