SCC Uses Its Shots Smartly

Southern California College made eight consecutive free throws in the final 46 seconds to preserve its wild, 86-78, victory over Cal Baptist in the first round of the Golden State Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at SCC.

Free throws were the only thing the Vanguards consistently made. SCC entered the game shooting 68% from the line, but Wednesday, made 28 of 30.

SCC’s Orange County starting five did the most damage again.

Seniors Terence Wilborn (Mater Dei) and Justin McIntee (Newport Harbor) each scored 20 points. Wilborn added 12 rebounds and McIntee made 14 of 14 free throws.

Santa Margarita High alumni made a contribution as freshman Dennis Keane had 16 points and senior Adam Dzierzynski had 10 points and 11 assists. Senior Rod Scheuerman (Tustin High) added 10 points.

SCC (19-14) shot only 41% from the field, and although Cal Baptist (13-17) made a late charge, McIntee sank four free throws in the final 27 seconds to help preserve the victory.

“Justin’s nickname is juice,” SCC Coach Bill Reynolds said. “Maybe we should start calling him ice.”

SCC advanced to the conference semifinals to play conference-champ Azusa Pacific (29-4) Saturday at Whittier College. Azusa Pacific, the third-ranked team in the NAIA, defeated Point Loma Nazarene, 104-68.

No. 13 Biola plays No. 21 Westmont in the other semifinal, and the winners meet next Tuesday at Whittier. The conference tournament winner advances to the NAIA Championship tournament in Tulsa, Okla. March 17-23.

SCC didn’t look like it would reach the next round of the GSAC tournament early in Wednesday’s game, missing its first seven three-point attempts as it fell behind by 17 points. Richard Hunt scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half for Cal Baptist.

“I don’t think we were sluggish but they came out with an extreme amount of enthusiasm,” Reynolds said. “I just wanted us to keep up our defensive intensity and I felt they wouldn’t stay that hot.”

And two 10-0 runs put SCC back in the game.

The second run was highlighted by Dzierzynski, who pulled up and nailed a three-pointer on a fast break. He followed it by going all the way for a layup and a conventional three-point play to make SCC’s lead, 45-37, with 30 seconds left in the first half.

Cal Baptist rallied to take the lead with 13 minutes 20 seconds remaining, 53-50, on a three-pointer by Aaron Proffitt.

But SCC answered with a 13-2 run to take control, then held on although it made no field goals in the final three minutes.