Upstart Canyons Keeps Moorpark in Its Sights : Raiders Home In on Playoff Berth With 66-37 Win

Before Saturday, Moorpark College had won only one game on the road this season. But only, perhaps, because it hadn’t yet played at Santa Monica.

On Saturday, with playoff hopes riding on the outcome, Moorpark ripped Santa Monica, 66-37.

As late as last week, Santa Monica (13-14, 3-8) was still in the playoff hunt, but after consecutive losses to Bakersfield and Moorpark, the Corsairs are thinking about next year. Moorpark can start thinking about next week when it will play at home against Bakersfield at 7 p.m. Thursday.

A win over Bakersfield would assure Moorpark (6-6) of second place in the Western State Conference’s Southern Division and a second straight trip to the state playoffs. The way Moorpark is playing, Coach Al Nordquist said, the playoffs couldn’t come at a better time.

“I’d say we’re playing very well right now,” said Nordquist, whose team won its first road game Thursday, 80-75, at Canyons. “We’re still in this thing. Actually, we’ve been playing very well all season; the games we have lost this season have been very close.”

Including a last-second, 76-75 win over Santa Monica earlier this season. But on Saturday, Moorpark ran the Corsairs out of the gym. An impressive Moorpark defense held Santa Monica to 18 points in the first half and 19 in the second.

With six minutes left in the first half, Santa Monica’s Darrel Gates hit a jumper to give the Corsairs a 15-14 lead--their last lead of the game. With four minutes left in the half, Moorpark’s Andy Jercha hit a three-pointer and then a field goal, Joe Pugh and Brent Tapia each made a free throw, and the Raiders led, 26-18, at halftime.

Moorpark steadily pulled away in the second half.