Despite Johnson’s Best Shots, El Camino Falls to Long Beach : Basketball: The sophomore guard has 26 points, but he doesn’t get enough help in 88-74 loss.

Mark Johnson used to think he had to score at least 25 points for the El Camino College basketball team to have a chance to win.

He has changed his mind.

“Even when I do that, it doesn’t work,” said Johnson, who scored 26 points in the Warriors’ 88-74 loss to visiting Long Beach City College Wednesday night.

Late in the first half, Johnson’s scoring was enough to help the Warriors (10-14, 0-4 in the South Coast Conference) cut a 13-point deficit to 29-27 with 2:40 left until halftime. However, a 9-2 run by the Vikings gave them a 38-29 lead at intermission.

“You have to play consistent all the way through,” said Johnson, a sophomore guard. “The key is everybody contributing.”

Long Beach (22-5, 3-1), which had five players score in double figures, was led by freshman forward Kevin Beal with 19.

After a Johnson bucket opened the second half, the Vikings outscored El Camino 22-11 to take a 60-42 lead with 11:49 remaining. Three minutes later, the score was 73-49 and Long Beach went unchallenged the rest of the way.

Sophomore Barnabas James added 17 points (all in the second half) for the Warriors, whose lack of scoring depth was no a secret to Long Beach.

“We heard they don’t have a good shooter beside Johnson,” Viking Coach Gary Anderson said. “We used the 1-2-2 (zone half-court defense), which allows the outside shot.”

Said Warrior Coach Paul Landreaux: “We’re lacking so many components. When you have only two guys who you can count on, you’re in trouble.”