(Walnut, CA) The Mt. SAC Men's Basketball team, with a wire-to-wire lead, defeated L.A. Trade Tech 73-66 in a South Coast Conference North game Wednesday night.
The win gives the Mounties a three-way tie in conference with East L.A. and Chaffey, all with 4-1 records.
The Mounties were led by sophomore Aaron Dutcher's (6 of 11 FG, 4-6 FT) 16 points, followed by Marc Howard Jr. (3-4 FT, 6 Assts.) and Darrell Williams (4-4 FT) with 14 and 10 points respectively.
"We are starting to mature," Mt. SAC Men's Head Coach Clark said. "I just told the team 'thank god it's not how you start the season, it's how you finish'."
"We still have a lot of basketball to go."
The Mounties (11-11) started the season 4-8 but have turned it around and have gone 7-3.
Freshman forward Minfeke Sanoe (4-6 FG, 9 RB) and Dutcher combined for 20 rebounds. Dutcher had a game-high 11 boards.
"They both complement each other's game," Maloney said. "We are playing our best when they are touching the ball."
"Aaron grabbed some unbelievable rebounds in traffic."
The Mounties never trailed in the game as they led at the break 34-29.
As a team, the Mounties almost doubled Trade Tech on the boards grabbing 42 to the Beavers' 24.
"We're starting to play better now in the second half of the season," Dutcher said.
The Mounties travel to Chaffey on Friday with first place at stake.
"We have to come mentally prepared for (Chaffey) and if we beat them we're in first place," Dutcher added.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.