SCC Can’t Put an End to Westmont’s Streak

Westmont continued its dominance of Southern California College, easily defeating the Vanguards, 84-69, in the semifinals of the Golden State Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Whittier College.

Westmont hasn’t lost to the Vanguards since 1993, a nine-game winning streak. The fourth-seeded Warriors were never in trouble this time as they advanced to Tuesday’s final against top-seeded Azusa Pacific.

SCC, seeded second, was in the game early, as the lead changed several times in the first five minutes. But after the Vanguards tied the score, 22-22, on an inside shot by Jason Janeski with 10 minutes 31 seconds left, they suffered a prolonged shooting drought and never recovered.

SCC went nearly nine minutes without making a field goal. Westmont outscored the Vanguards 21-6 in the span and led, 40-28, with 2:52 remaining in the half.

The Vanguards (20-12) rallied behind eight consecutive points from Kevin Carlson to cut the deficit to six with 11 seconds left in the half, but Westmont’s Jeff Cummins scored on a follow shot right before the buzzer to make it 44-36 at the half.

Westmont (18-12) immediately extended its lead in the second half, going ahead by 18 points with 13:35 left. SCC never mounted a serious rally. The Vanguards, who shot 34.4% from the field, missed far too many shots from close range to pose a threat.

Carlson, who scored 15 points in the first half, was shut down in the second. His effectiveness was limited after he committed his third and fourth fouls within 14 seconds of each other with 16 1/2 minutes left. He scored only three more points--a three-pointer with 39 seconds left.

Tim Schoolland scored 21 points and Zak DeMatteo, who hounded Carlson on defense, scored 17 for Westmont. Mike Ruble scored 14 and Janeski 10 for the Vanguards.