Torrance, Calif. – In their highest scoring game of the season, the Mt. SAC Men's Basketball Team secured their first win of 2025 with a commanding 111-88 victory over El Camino on Friday, January 3. The Mounties improved to an impressive 14-1 record, while the Warriors fell to 4-11.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Mounties set the tone when they got on the board first with a layup from the night's top scorer, Jaidyn Simpson. The team went on a 15-point run, including a dunk from Ryan Wheeler, a jump shot from Kenneth Brown and a layup from Immanuel Taylor before the Warriors managed a layup from Daxen Walton.

The Warriors battled back with key three-pointers from Tavin Adamson, Kai Johnson, Aaron Cortes, and Gavin McKinnon, bringing the score within two points. However, Mt. SAC regained momentum through free throws from Taylor and Joel Gado and a layup by Jeremy Williams, closing the half with a 49-40 lead.

The Mounties ran away with the game in the second half, making it impossible for the Warriors to close the gap. Jon McCullough was a standout, scoring 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while Wheeler added 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Gado chipped in with 10 points to keep the team going strong. Despite Johnson's efforts from the charity stripe and Cortes pulling down multiple rebounds, the Warriors struggled to keep pace. Mt. SAC overpowered El Camino in key areas, including points in the paint (84-20), fast break points (45-22), rebounds and steals, to give them the advantage in the end.  

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Jaidyn Simpson (Mt. SAC): Game-high 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
• Immanuel Taylor (Mt. SAC): 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals
• Joel Gado (Mt. SAC): 15 points, 3 rebounds in 15 minutes of play
• Ryan Wheeler (Mt. SAC): 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks
• Kai Johnson (El Camino): Team-high 23 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
• Aaron Cortes (El Camino): 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks

TEAM STATS:

• Shooting: Mt. SAC – 57.1% (44-77); El Camino – 32.9% (26-79)
• Three-Point Shooting: Mt. SAC – 16.7% (1-6); El Camino – 28.3% (15-53)
• Free Throw Shooting: Mt. SAC – 61.1% (22-36); El Camino – 61.8% (21-34)
• Rebounds: Mt. SAC – 54; El Camino – 43
• Turnovers: Mt. SAC – 25; El Camino – 24

UP NEXT:

The Mounties look to extend their winning streak to nine games as they host Compton College (8-6) on Wednesday, January 8, at 5:00 PM. Don't miss the action!

STAY CONNECTED:

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Basketball on twitter @MtSAC_MBKB or Instagram /mt.sacbasketball/

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics Instagram /mtsac_athletics/ or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

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