COD Men’s Basketball Grabs Split at MSJC Tipoff Classic

College of the Desert Men's Basketball (1–1) tipped off the 2025 season at the Mt. San Jacinto Tipoff Classic, bouncing back from a narrow opening loss to earn an overtime victory and a weekend split.

In the tournament opener, the Roadrunners battled to the wire but fell 92–88 to the LA Southwest Cougars. Sophomore guard De'miem King (Palm Springs H.S.) posted a strong double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, including nine on the defensive end.

Freshman guard Jayse Creavalle (Palm Springs H.S.) made an instant impact off the bench in his COD debut, leading all Roadrunners with 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting. His brother, Jayden Creavalle, added 12 points, connecting on 3-of-4 from beyond the arc before fouling out midway through the second half. Freshman Payton Joseph (Beaumont H.S.) was efficient with 12 points in just 18 minutes, going 4-for-5 from the field and perfect from the line (4-for-4). Chris Cooper-Patton (Detroit [MI] University Prep Academy) and Stephen Shuffleton (Palm Desert H.S.) rounded out the balanced attack with 12 points and 10 rebounds, respectively.

Despite the setback, Desert showed resilience, but are on a three-game skid against LA Southwest that has dated back to 2018.

The Roadrunners responded in game two, outlasting the LA Harbor Seahawks in overtime, 89–86. This time, the starting unit led the charge, with three starters in double figures. Cooper-Patton came off the bench again to lead all scorers with 22 points, lighting it up from deep with six 3-pointers (6-for-11).

Jayse Creavalle, moving into the starting lineup, stayed hot with 18 points, hitting 6-of-12 from the floor and a perfect 5-for-5 at the line. Both Joseph and King narrowly missed double-doubles, finishing with 12 points and 9 rebounds apiece.

The highlight of the night came from freshman Lee'Tron Turner (Indio H.S.), who came off the bench to deliver in the clutch, scoring 12 points and going a flawless 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, helping seal the overtime win.

The victory marked COD's second straight over LA Harbor, with their last meeting dating back to December 2018.

The Roadrunners now hit the road for a four-game stretch, beginning Saturday, November 8 at 2 p.m. against the Southwestern Apaches in Chula Vista. COD returns home for their 2025 home opener on Saturday, November 22 at 2 p.m., hosting the LA Valley Monarchs at the Palm Desert Campus Gym (Bragdon & Inez Garrow Atheltic Quad).

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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 Darbie Catalfamo Photography.