After Fast Start, El Camino Men Are Home Free, 99-72

The El Camino College men’s basketball team returned home for the first time in a month Saturday night and promptly turned into rude hosts.

The Warriors used a full-court press and accurate shooting to defeat Harbor, 99-72, in a nonconference game before 400 fans.

Guard Chris Hansen and forward Mark Jackson led the Warriors with 23 points apiece. El Camino shot 56% from the field and Hansen, who made seven of nine shots from three-point range, best exemplified the Warriors’ accuracy.

“It was nice to see because he has not been shooting well to this point,” Warrior Coach Paul Landreaux said. “He had not been too comfortable shooting the ball, but he really seemed to find himself tonight.”

The Warriors had five players score in double figures: Guard Troy Williams and forward Tyrone Paul finished with 17 and Michael Reynolds contributed 12.

El Camino scored the game’s first five points and was not challenged thereafter. Five minutes into the game, the Warriors led by 15 points. They increased their advantage to 29 shortly before halftime.

Using a full-court press, El Camino (9-6) forced Harbor into 19 first-half turnovers. By the time the Seahawks recovered, it was too late.

“They played very well and we made a lot of unforced errors,” Harbor Coach Carl Strong said. “We just weren’t alert and I really don’t know why.”

Harbor (12-8) shot 43% from the field and outrebounded El Camino, 42-39. Forward Kent Bennett finished with a game-high 26 points and guard Eric Carpenter, after a slow start, added 18.

But the Seahawks had little to cheer about. They were never in the game and at one point trailed by 33 points.

“I would say the wheels came off--and with four flat tires, too,” Strong said. “Truthfully, we’re a little better than we showed tonight.

“I take that back. We’re a lot better than we showed tonight.”