Santa Monica Spoils Glendale Rally by Pulling Away in the Final Minute

After trailing by as many as 15 points, the Glendale College men’s basketball team rallied to tie the score in the waning moments Wednesday night before falling to visiting Santa Monica, 72-67, in a Western State Conference South Division game.

Feisty Glendale (12-11, 1-2 in division play) struggled in the first half before launching a comeback after intermission.

The Vaqueros fell behind, 39-30, at halftime but used seven three-point baskets in the second half (14 overall) to get back in the game. Glendale went to the long-range shots not only because it has players who can connect from there, but also to counter the inside defense of Santa Monica (17-6, 3-0).

“It’s no secret where we are coming from,” Glendale Coach Brian Beauchemin said. “We just don’t have any strength in the interior to counter people.”

Santa Monica led, 67-65, with 3 minutes 35 seconds remaining, but guard Will Burr hit a 10-foot jump shot and center Nick Athanassakis tipped in a missed shot to even the score, 67-67, with 1:37 to play.

However, Santa Monica guard James Gray made a layup with 1:06 to play and scored the final three points on free throws. Gray, a reserve, finished with a team-leading 18 points. “We made a good run at it,” Beauchemin said.

It was the Corsairs who ran off to the early lead.

With the score tied, 10-10, the Corsairs went on a 12-2 tear. After a three-pointer by Glendale’s Kenny Collins with 8:51 to play in the half, Santa Monica scored eight consecutive points to take its biggest cushion of the half, 30-15.

But Glendale rallied to narrow the halftime deficit to nine points with four three-pointers, a basket on an offensive rebound and a free throw.

Burr and freshman guard Ryan Asplund each had two of the three-pointers. Burr, a sophomore from Alemany High, had a game-high 21 points, including five three-point baskets.

“It’s really tough (to defend) the way the (Pirates) let go of that ball,” Santa Monica Coach John McMullen said. “I’m really proud of our defense.”

The Santa Monica defense didn’t allow Glendale to penetrate much, giving the Vaqueros shots from the perimeter. Glendale, which came into the game ranked fourth among WSC teams in three-point attempts, took what the Corsairs gave, but it wasn’t enough.

Collins had 16 points for Glendale and guard Ryan Asplund added 11 points and six assists.