Mounties end regular season with a convincing win over Rio Hondo, 98-72; Playoffs set to begin Tuesday, March 1

Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage
Photo Courtesy of DavesSportsImage

(Walnut, CA) On sophomore night for the Mt. SAC Men's Basketball team, the Mounties finished the regular season with a convincing win over Rio Hondo, 98-72, in a South Coast Conference game on Friday (Feb. 25).

With the win, the Mounties improved to 18-7 overall and 6-2 in the conference, to finish in second place.

"After the Cerritos loss on Wednesday, we needed to play to our potential and we did (against Rio Hondo)," first-year coach Mike Fenison said.

"Saafir (Moore) played great, we all pulled for him. All the sophomores earned it. We're working to get more wins."

Leading the way in the final game of the regular season for the Mounties was sophomore guard Saafir Moore (17 points) with a perfect shooting night as he was 6-6 from the field, which included 3-3 from 3-point range and 2-2 from the free throw line.

He also grabbed three rebounds and had an assist and a steal.

"I've been through a lot this season, dealing with adversity, and just being able to have this game is a big deal for me," Moore said. "I put in a lot of hours and I love my team.

"I'm the first person in the gym and the last one to leave and it almost makes me emotional. Now, we're off to the playoffs."

Four other players scored in double figures for the Mounties – Shaquil Bender (7-16 FGM-A, 2-5 3PM-A, 4 RB, 4 A, 1 Stl., 16 Pts.), Keith Stewart (7-11 FGM-A, 1-1 3PM-A5 RB, 1 A, 15 Pts.), Dyren Brown (7-12 FGM-A, 1-3 3PM-A, 13 RB, 6 A, 2 Stls., 15 Pts) and Khalid Wilkins (3-6 3PM-A, 2-4 FTM-A, 5 RB, 10 A, Blk, 13 Pts.).

Six-foot-eight, freshman big man, Matthew Brown, who scored eight points coming off the bench talked about the win over Rio Hondo and the momentum of the team.

"It's good momentum going into the playoffs," Brown said. "It's nice (18 wins this season) and we're all new players this season. We all had to get to know each other quickly and I think it worked out pretty well."

Sophomore Jamal Edmonson (3-7 FGM-A, 1 RB, 2 Asst.) talked about the final night of the regular season.

"It was a big one for the sophomores and everyone played pretty well and I was extremely proud of my boy Saafir (Moore)," Edmondson said. "Great game by him and I was tearing up man.

"As for the playoffs, it's a whole new season."

After a close first half, with the Mounties holding a slim, one-point lead, 39-38, they outscored the Roadrunners, 59-34, and nearly hit the century mark with the 26-point win.

Mt. SAC seeded 16th will host #17 Mt. San Jacinto in the first round of the CCCAA playoffs at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 1st.

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