SCC Ends Regular Season With the Conference Title

Todd Dixon’s 26 points and eight steals led Southern California College to a 110-85 victory over Point Loma Nazarene and the championship of the Golden State Athletic Conference Saturday night at SCC.

The win also earns SCC (27-3 overall, 13-1 in the conference) a first-round bye in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics District III championships, which start Tuesday at Whittier College.

“A lot of people didn’t expect us to be in this position,” SCC Coach Bill Reynolds said. “We were ranked seventh in the GSAC preseason. The kids knew they were better than that, so they thought they had to prove something over and over again.”

SCC took control early in the game after Phil Hill intercepted a full-court pass meant for Point Loma’s Mark Ryan. Hill passed to Jim Mansfield, whose layup made it 16-8. SCC extended the lead to 23-10 before an 11-1 Point Loma run cut it to 24-21. Point Loma (9-20, 5-9) never got any closer.

“(The team’s) chemistry and camaraderie paid more dividends than our individual talent,” Reynolds said. “We had our doubts if they could hold up for this tonight (after a rugged game against Biola on Thursday).”

Reynolds said Dixon “played with a lot of guts and a lot of talent. He admitted he was tired, but when the bell rings, he’s in the game.”

After building a 51-33 halftime lead, SCC kept the defensive pressure tight, forcing Point Loma to take off-balance shots. SCC outrebounded the Crusaders, 46-40, and shot 44 for 89 (49%) from the floor. Point Loma hit 38 of 61 shots (62%).

“(Point Loma) played us pretty tight at their place (a 103-95 SCC win Jan. 31),” Mansfield said. “So we didn’t want to take it easy on them tonight.”

Jeff Bickmore added 18 points for SCC, Terry Scruggs scored 16, Mansfield 14 points and Kyle Lundy 13.

Mark Ryan led Point Loma with 23 points.

“My legs were real tired, “ Dixon said. “But this is a great way to end an excellent season.”