COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Moorpark Stumbles Without Wilson

Playing its first game without starting point guard Damian Wilson, Moorpark College offered little resistance to Dixie College of St. George, Utah, falling, 77-57, in a first-round game of the Raddison Big Four tournament at Moorpark College on Friday.

Wilson, a returning all-conference player, was dismissed from the team this week by Moorpark Coach Al Nordquist for undisclosed reasons.

As a result, Moorpark’s offense was out of sync much of the game. The Raiders made just 18 of 49 shots (37%) from the field and committed 31 turnovers.

“We are going to have a period of adjustments,” Nordquist said. “We need to learn how to deal with adversity and find a point guard who will run this team.”

In addition to the loss of Wilson, Moorpark had to deal with a severe height disadvantage. Dixie has eight players 6-foot-5 or taller.

The Rebels (7-0) trailed only once in the game, 5-4. But four three-point baskets keyed a quick 21-5 run for Dixie.

Moorpark (1-4), which trailed 35-24 at halftime, managed to cut the lead to 39-30 in the second half but could get no closer.

Moorpark’s leading scorer was Carlos Vasquez, a freshman guard from Cleveland High, who scored 13 points and hit three three-point baskets.

Cory Lester finished with 10 points for Moorpark. Dixie was led by Ethan O’Bryant, who scored a game-high 22 points.

Moorpark will continue tournament action today in a 4 p.m. game against Grossmont. The Griffins dropped a 127-120 decision to Allan Hancock in another tournament game Friday.

The championship game, matching Dixie and Hancock, is scheduled for a 6 o’clock start.