COD Men’s Basketball takes top team in IEAC to OT, falls to Panthers, 78-75

COD (12-7; 4-3) had three starters in double figures as the Roadrunners received a brilliant second half performance to send the game into overtime, but COD shot 2 of 9 in the OT period and it proved to be the difference, as the Chaffey Panthers of Rancho Cucamonga (14-5; 7-0) escaped the Desert, 78-75.

Desert got out to a fast start, maintaining a strong lead most of the first half. Then, with 6:38 remaining, the Panthers would go on a 17-2 run and go into the halftime break with a 42-33 lead. Desert would regain the lead, 48-47, with 12:56 left in the game, on a huge three-pointer by sophomore starting guard Joshua Jones (Moreno Valley Valley View) to cap off a 15-5 run to open the second half. The Roadrunners would tie the game at 67-67 on a nice mid-range jumper by sophomore starting guard Sam Skipper (Perris H.S.) with less than a minute left to send the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, it became an exchange of big shots as three-pointers started falling, Chaffey took an early 70-67 lead, then Skipper hit a three and tied it, the panthers would hit a three and three-free throws later, the game is tied at 73-73. With 1:47 left in the game, sophomore starting forward Kavonte Kinney (Cathedral City H.S.) hit a layup that bounced all over the rim before falling, taking a 75-73 lead, and then the Desert offense hit a wall. Chaffey would hit another three-pointer and pair of free throws to wrap up the scoring on the night.

Kinney would lead the way for the Roadrunners, grabbed his third straight double-double and his ninth of the season, scoring 23 points on 9 of 19 shooting and collecting 11 total rebounds, six of those defensive boards.

Skipper would contribute 22 points, tying his third best scoring night of the season, shooting 8 of 20 from the field and going 5 of 12 from three-point range, along with two blocks.

Jones put up 12 points on 4 of 8 shooting from beyond the arc and freshman starting guard Devlin Adams (Moreno Valley H.S.) led the team with a season high, ten assists. Freshman guard Antonio Holley III (Santa Monica H.S.) led the Roadrunners off of the bench, with six points.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).