COD Men’s Basketball Back on Track with 82–76 Win Over Cerro Coso

The College of the Desert men's basketball team bounced back in a big way Wednesday night, earning its first conference victory of the season with an 82–76 win over the Cerro Coso Coyotes in Ridgecrest.

The Roadrunners (4–13, 1–4 conference) snapped a seven-game skid behind a gritty, resilient performance that saw four of five starters score in double figures. Cerro Coso (4–13, 1–4) controlled the glass and the free-throw line, but COD's effort, execution, and shot-making proved decisive in one of its most impressive wins of the season.

Despite being out-rebounded 52–42 and losing the free-throw battle—shooting just 38.9 percent compared to the Coyotes' 81.3 percent—the Roadrunners overcame a short bench and found a way to close out the road victory.

Sophomore guard De'miem King (Palm Springs HS) led all scorers with a career-high 27 points, shooting 11-of-19 from the field while pulling down eight rebounds. Freshman guard Lee'Tron Turner (Indio HS) continued his strong debut season with his fourth 19-plus point outing, finishing with 19 points on 9-of-20 shooting and adding six assists.

Freshman guard Jayse Creavalle (Palm Springs HS) delivered a complete performance, recording his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 assists. He was two steals shy of a triple-double, finishing with a season-high eight steals to go along with five made field goals. Fellow freshman Payton Joseph (Beaumont HS) narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds—six on the defensive end.

Off the bench, freshman Jayden Gonzalez (Indio HS) provided key minutes, leading the reserves with five points.

The Roadrunners will remain on the road for their next two contests before returning home on Wednesday, January 21 at 7 p.m., when COD hosts a tough Chaffey Panthers squad from Rancho Cucamonga.

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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 Leyder Aleman Photography.