Cero Coso College Holds Off Marymount Rally for 97-89 Win

Marymount College Coach Jim Masterson had a look of disbelief after watching his Mariners lose to visiting Cero Coso, 97-89, Saturday in a Southern California Athletic Conference game. “I guess we had a lid on the basket,” Masterson said. “We forced them into 16 turnovers in the first half and we were only able to score two times off of those turnovers. Our defense kept us in the game.”

The Coyotes were able to hold off a late Mariner rally to capture their second win in SCAC play.

The Mariners, led by Julian Lawrence’s 27 points, went on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 88-85 with 3:12 remaining. But Cero Coso hit its free throws down the stretch.

Marymount had an early 27-22 lead midway through the first half. The Mariners employed a full-court press that forced Cero Coso into several turnovers. But Cero Coso used a 18-12 run to gain a 40-39 lead at halftime.

Kerry Baker scored 15 points and Kevin Johnson had 11 points for the Mariners, who fell to 9-13 overall and 2-3 in SCAC play.

The Coyotes were led by Billy Jenkins, who scored 27 points. LaMont Parrish scored 26 points and Marvin Griffin had 20.

Marymount will play L.A. City at Harbor College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.