Naro and SCC Pick Up the Pace, Defeat CCI, 86-70

John Naro keyed a late first-half run, and Southern California College hardly wavered in the second half of its 86-70 victory over Christ College Irvine in a Golden State Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Irvine.

Naro scored half of SCC’s points in a 14-4 run during the final six minutes 23 seconds of the first half to spark the Vanguards to a 38-26 lead at halftime. Southern California College (14-8, 3-2 in conference) continued the fast pace in the second half, never allowing Christ College Irvine (10-10, 2-3) to get closer than 10 points.

“This was a good win,” SCC Coach Bill Reynolds said. “We are really pleased with this one. We’ve played five (conference) games and have been emotionally ready each time.”

SCC’s biggest lead came when Scott Campbell made a three-pointer to put the Vanguards ahead, 73-55, with 5:30 left.

Darren Lax then went on a 9-1 run, making three three-pointers, and CCI cut the lead to 74-64 with 3:16 left.

But SCC free throws kept CCI from getting any closer.

The Vanguards made nine free throws in the final 4:02. SCC finished 23 of 29 from the free-throw line.

Mike West, a 6-foot-3 forward, made nine of 11 free throws and finished with a team-high 19 points. He also had a game-high 11 rebounds. Naro added 18 points and Danin Bryant had 15 points and eight assists.

D’Andre Brown had 20 points for Christ College Irvine on nine-of-12 shooting from the field, but he made only two of seven free throws. As a team, CCI was four of 12. Lax finished with 17 points, including five three-pointers.