THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES : Roundup : Cypress Holds This Lead to Win

Cypress College opened a big lead for the second time in two games, but this time the Chargers were able to hold it and defeated Illinois Elgin, 87-78, Friday in the consolation round of the Cypress Thoroughbred basketball tournament.

Cypress (1-1) took a 21-8 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half and led, 46-30, at the half.

Elgin (1-4) made two serious runs in the second half but could get no closer than 8 points either time. Cypress had opened a 13-point lead in the second half only to lose, 64-61, to Central Arizona in the opening round Thursday.

Rodney Mattear made a layup and Cypress led, 62-45, with 11:48 left. But Elgin went on a short run led by guard Tim Moritz. He scored 9 consecutive points, including a 3-point basket, and Elgin trailed, 62-54, with 8:09 left.

Wendell Lauderdale made a 15-foot jump shot, Vince Hizon made a layup and then a 3-point basket and Cypress led, 69-54, with 6:29 left.

Cypress was led by Mattear, who came off the bench to score 20 points. Mattear, a 6-foot 5-inch freshman out of Long Beach Jordan High School, was 8 of 11 shooting with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Hizon finished with 19 points.

Andre Lamoureux, a 6-9 forward from Los Alamitos High School, scored 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting for Cypress. He also had a game-high 10 rebounds. Moritz led Elgin with 24 points.

Cypress plays Alvin Texas today at 4 p.m. in the consolation championship. Ventura plays Central Arizona in the championship at 8 p.m.