ROUNDUP : Cypress, Pauley Brush Past State’s Second-Ranked Team

Cypress Coach Don Johnson was searching for an explanation after the Chargers’ 74-61 victory over Columbia in the opening round of the State Community College Basketball Tournament Thursday in Bren Center.

“I have no idea (how we won),” he said.

Columbia has been the top-ranked team in Northern California and No. 2 in the state all season. Cypress was ranked 10th in the state. But Cypress showed the Claim Jumpers little respect. Instead, Cypress raced to a 35-25 halftime lead.

Columbia rallied to tie it, 43-43, with 12 minutes 1 second left. It was tied at 45, 47, and 49, before Charles Lockard hit a three-pointer with 7:40 left to give Cypress a 52-49 lead.

Cypress’ Brian Kenney stole the ball, and passed it to Eric Pauley at midcourt. Pauley found Lockard alone in the right corner.

“I was wide open,” Lockard said. “You know me. If we need a basket, I will take a three.”

Cypress slowly pulled away after Lockard’s three, and led, 67-57, with 1:37 left when Eric Pauley made two free throws.

Lockard finished with 13 points. But Cypress’ offensive standout was sophomore forward Pauley, who had 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Pauley scored six of Cypress’ final nine points. He had two dunks in the final 33 seconds including a reverse that brought applause from the crowd.

Brian Kenney had 16 points and Sam Sabbara 10 for Cypress, which shot 61% (30 for 49).

Columbia came back in the second half thanks to a full-court press. Cypress had 22 turnovers, including six by Lockard and five by Pauley.

“We worked on it all week,” Pauley said about the press. “We had a couple of days to prepare but we still had trouble.”

Cypress advances to play Long Beach at 6 tonight in one semifinal. In other first-round games:

Long Beach City 76, College of the Sequoias 66--Long Beach (31-4) had 19 turnovers but maintained at least a six-point lead throughout the second half.

Compton 81, Chabot 78--Steve Logan scored a game-high 28 points for Compton (28-6), which used a 22-2 run to build a 27-12 lead midway through the first half, then hung on.