El Camino Falls to Pasadena

El Camino College’s roller coaster basketball season hit a low Saturday night in Pasadena. The Warriors lost to Pasadena City College, 79-70, in the final regular-season game.

On Jan. 26 the Warriors suffered their worst SCC loss of the season, 92-72, to the Lancers, who finished in third place in the five-member league with a 4-4 record. Pasadena finished 13-14 overall.

El Camino finished fourth with a 2-6 conference record and 18-13 overall. Although nothing is official, the Warriors will probably get a playoff berth. Three El Camino players scored in double figures, but it wasn’t enough to pull out a victory against the Lancer, who run a fast-paced offense. Sophomore Mike Houck led the Warriors with a game-high 25 points and Keishaun Darthard had 17. Point guard Major Whitlock added 11. The Lancers were led by Chris Jones’ 24 points.

Pasadena led through most of the first half. A layin by Charles Henson gave the Lancers a 10-point lead with 11:28 left. El Camino tied the score at 23 on Houck’s three-point basket with 5:23 left before half.

Starting at 3:09 before half, the Lancers went on a 12-5 run to take a 37-28 halftime lead.

El Camino never led in the second half. The Warriors went on a 9-0 run that brought them within six with 8:09 left to play. The closest El Camino came to the Lancers was five points after Houck’s three-point basket with 2:27 remaining.

Pasadena made seven of 12 free throw attempts in the last 1:04 to secure the victory.