NAIA District 3 Basketball Playoffs : Southern California College Breezes Into Final, 79-61

All the elements of a laugher were in place early for Southern California College in its National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics District 3 semifinal men’s basketball game against California Baptist Saturday at Whittier College.

And once they had the pieces in place, the Vanguards fashioned a 79-61 victory over the Lancers, and advanced to the final Tuesday against Biola, which defeated Westmont, 78-76, earlier Saturday.

For starters against the Lancers, the Vanguards (28-3) opened the game with a 7-0 run. Then went on to build leads of 13 and 17 points in the the first half before taking a 39-24 lead at the break.

“I guess we’re just a streaky team,” Southern California College Coach Bill Reynolds said.

“Our defensive intensity generated the lead in the first half. In the second half, we finally got our running game going.”

Most of SCC’s offensive production in the second half came from center Jeff Bickmore, who had 14 of his team-high 20 points in the second half. SCC also got 14 points and six rebounds from Terry Scruggs and 13 points from Kyle Lundy.

“Usually when a team makes a run at us we find someone to come in and take over,” Reynolds said. “Tonight it was Terrance (Jackson).”

Jackson, a little-used freshman forward, came off the bench for six points, all in the second half. He sparked a 10-2 run that put the Vanguards ahead by 15, after the Lancers had closed to 52-45 midway through the second half.

The Lancers, who finished the season 20-12, were no match for SCC’s long-range shooting and pressure defense.