(Walnut, CA) — A big second-half scoring surge and a game-high 23 points by sophomore guard Nick Hopkins led the Mt. SAC Men's Basketball team to an 85-62 win over Glendale College on Thursday, November 9, in the opening game of the 14th Annual Gene Victor Memorial Classic. With the win, the Mounties (2-0) advance to the championship game and will face Victor Valley College on Saturday, November 11.

Victor Valley College opened the classic with an exciting long-range 3-point buzzer-beater to defeat Grossmont, 81-79. Hopkins (7-11 FGM-A, 9-9 FTM-A, 4 A, 2 Stls., 2 Blks.) scored a game-high 23 points and led with 11 rebounds. Scoring 17 points was Mt. SAC freshman guard Jerimiyah Smith (7-14 FGM-A, 3-7 FTM-A, 3 RB, 1 A, 2 Stls.), while sophomore guard CJ Fisher (4-7 FGM-A, 2-4 3PM-A, 3 RB, 1 Stl.) and freshman guard Marvel Chambers (3-8 FGM-A, 4-6 FTM-A, 4 RB, 2 Stls.) each scored 10 points for the Mounties. Ernest Love and Elijah Cirilo added seven points each for the Mounties.

An early back-and-forth first half saw the Mounties hold the lead from the opening tip and build up their biggest lead, 21-5, on a 3-pointer by Fisher with 12:36 left. The Vaqueros went on a 16-8 run and closed to within eight points, 29-21, with 5:37 left. The Mounties held on to that eight-point, 40-32 lead by halftime.

Highlighting the second half, in which the Mounties outscored the Vaqueros, 45-30, was a 53% field goal average and 35 bench points. Smith led the second half with 10 points.

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