Mt. SAC Men’s Basketball Wins PCC Classic Consolation Championship

Mt. SAC Men's Basketball
Photo Courtesy of Ken Mclin

(Pasadena, CA) After losing the opening game of the Skip Robinson Pasadena City College (PCC) Classic, the Mt. SAC Men's Basketball Team rebounded and won the next two games to capture the consolation championship on Saturday (11/17) at PCC's Hutto-Patterson Gym.

The Mounties (3-3) fell into the consolation bracket after the opening loss to Santiago Canyon, but defeated Barstow (65-63) and L.A. Pierce in the consolation championship, 69-67.

"It's very early in the season and the biggest thing is we're so young," Mt. SAC Coach Clark Maloney replied. "We have 12 freshmen and understanding how important it is to come in and play well in these types of three-day tournaments is crucial."

One of those freshmen was guard Todd Rigsby (8 for 18, 3 3PT), who had a game-high 19 points in the win over L.A. Pierce.

"This win (L.A. Pierce) really helped us for the future," Rigsby said. "We're a very athletic team and this win will really boost us up."

"As long as we play together and play smart, we'll be okay."

Perhaps the player of the tournament for the Mounties was sophomore guard Daniel DeJoya for his clutch shooting and defense in the last two games.

DeJoya made a game-saving steal at the buzzer against L.A. Pierce and in the win over Barstow he connected with a 3-pointer, from the top of the key, with no time left for the victory.

"It wasn't just a great steal, but great court awareness," Maloney said. "I was happy because he's been working extremely hard. For him to get the game-winning shot (win over Barstow), he's been working hard and he earned that."

In the win over Barstow, DeJoya scored a game-high 17 points, made four 3-pointers and had seven assists.

"That win was building blocks for our team," DeJoya said. "As for the steal, I saw the whole play develop. Coach always puts me up the line in a good place to get the ball."

Three other Mouties had 11 points each – guard Yahshua Smith (4-7 FGM, 3-5 3PT, 6 ASST, 3 ST), guard Akinola Branco (4-9 FGM, 2-5 3PT, 5 RB) and guard Gabe Ontiveros (3-5, 3 3PT).

As a team the Mounties were 12 of 31 (39%) from beyond the arc.

Besides Rigsby's 19 points in the L.A. Pierce game, forward Shallamar Poole (5-10 FGM, 9 RB, 3 A) had 11 points and Ontiveros added 10 points.

Mt. SAC will now return home to host the annual Mountie Classic, which starts Friday, November 30th through Sunday, December 1st.  University of Antelope Valley, L.A. Harbor, Orange Coast, Cerro Coso and Imperial Valley, along with Mt. SAC, will play three pool-play games.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.