COLLEGE BASKETBALL : Trade Tech Advances, 85-83

The Trade Tech men’s basketball team made history Wednesday night at Long Beach City College.

In defeating the Vikings, 85-83, the Beavers advanced to the third round of the Southern California Junior College Regional Playoffs for the first time in the school’s history. The win was Trade Tech’s 25th of the season, breaking the school’s previous mark for most victories in a season.

Sophomore guard Ray Smith had the hot hand at the outset for Trade Tech. Smith, who finished with a game-high 25 points, scored 15 in the first 10 minutes of the game.

For Long Beach City, guard Marcus Rogers was also hot, scoring 21 of his 23 points in the first half. He hit nine of his first 11 shots as Long Beach used eight- and six-point runs to end the half with a 52-48 lead.

Trade Tech went on a six-point run to open the second half, but All-South Coast Conference guard Rodney Harris, who scored 20 points, hit two three-pointers during an 11-point run to bring Long Beach to a 61-54 at the 16:15 mark.

However, All-Southern California Conference point guard Eric Fuller, who scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half, spurred a 16-4 run as Trade Tech went up, 79-77, with four minutes remaining.

Long Beach’s Pat Thacker hit a short jumper to give the Vikings an 83-81 lead with 45 second left, but Trade Tech sank four consecutive free throws, including two by Greg McDowell with 10 seconds to play.

Trade Tech played at Saddleback College in the third round of the playoffs Saturday night. See Sports in Section C for results.

Records: Trade Tech 25-8; Long Beach City College 25-9.