City College lost at home to Diablo Valley College Jan. 21 after defensive inconsistencies continued to torment the Panthers for a final score of 81-76.
The Panthers looked strong out of the gate, getting out to a 9-point lead midway of the half. With 4:43 remaining a 6-0 Diablo Valley run tied things up at 23, Vikings closing the opening period with a 4-point lead.
Vikings star guard Jermaine Edmonds scored 11 points in the first half on his way to 17 in the game. The Panthers slowed Edmonds in the second period but Diablo Valley’s A.B. Najee and Connor Jean picked up the slack on offense.
City College never took the lead in the second half.
Najee—who averages just 8.4 points per game—had a career night at the Panthers’ expense, putting up 23 points (17 in the second half), along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
“He was really aggressive, and he made a few clutch jumpers down the stretch,” said Panthers head coach Andrew Jones.
City College’s Antwoine Davis (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Bobby Barnes (18 points, 4 rebounds) each had strong showings on offense.
The Panthers struggled to find consistency on the defensive end, where they were frequently out of position. Zone schemes continually broke down.
Sitting in eighth place in the Big 8, with a 9-10 record overall and 3-2 in conference, the Panthers need to finish strong to make the playoff tournament.
Find more City College men’s basketball team statistics at http://sccpanthers.losrios.edu/mensbasketball.htm.
