COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Press Helps SCC Break Game Open

Southern California College used a full-court press to break open a tight game late in the second half and beat Christ College Irvine, 84-72, in a Golden Gate Conference game Saturday night in the CCI gym.

Southern California College, trailing, 60-58, with 8 minutes 45 seconds remaining, went on a 19-4 run to put the game out of reach. The Vanguards improved to 16-3, 3-1 in conference. Christ College fell to 7-13 and 1-3 in conference.

Two free throws by Elbert Davis gave the Vanguards a 71-64 lead with 3:52 remaining. Three consecutive Eagle turnovers resulted in two baskets by Jeff Bickmore and two free throws by Mike West for a 77-64 lead with 3:02 left.

“I was afraid we might not get the ball across half court the rest of the night,” Christ College coach Greg Marshall said. “Our Achilles’ heel all year has been poor decision-making by our guards.”

Bickmore, SCC’s leading scorer, was called for his third foul with 14:57 left in the first half. Christ College took a 16-7 lead with 12:15 remaining. SCC’s Mike Henjum scored 11 of the Vanguards’ next 13 points to help tie the score at 20-20 with 9:45 left in the half.

Henjum had 19 points and Davis added 18 for the Vanguards. West, a transfer from Point Loma Nazarene who recently became eligible, added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Ian Donnelly scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Christ College.