Walnut, Calif. – After back-to-back playoff exits at the hands of San Bernardino Valley College, the Mt. SAC Men's Basketball team flipped the script in a big way Saturday night. The No. 7-seeded Mounties defeated the No. 10-seeded Wolverines, 66-55, in the second round of the 3C2A SoCal Regionals on February 28. With the win, Mt. SAC improves to 25-4 and advances to the SoCal Regional Finals. San Bernardino Valley closes its season at 24-6.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

As expected in a rivalry matchup, the intensity was high from tip-off to final buzzer. The teams traded blows all night, featuring 10 lead changes and five ties in a game that never felt secure for either side.

Ryan Wheeler opened the scoring with a layup, but SBVC quickly answered with a three-pointer from Lincoln Liggins and a jumper from Stanley Thomas III to take an early lead.

Five minutes in, Osami Maciel provided a spark off the bench. The sophomore guard knocked down two three-pointers and added a pair of free throws to swing momentum back to the Mounties.

After a relatively low scoring first half, Mt. SAC entered into the break holding a narrow 25-24 advantage. Dayvon Gates led the way with 10 first-half points, while Maciel added eight. Wheeler controlled the glass with six rebounds.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the second half. Jeremy Williams opened the scoring at the line, but the Wolverines responded with a dunk from Jude Brideba. SBVC then surged, using buckets from Duante Murphy, Thomas and Brideba — along with key free throws — to build a 36-29 lead, their largest of the night.

The Mounties refused to give up. Three-pointers from Zion Booker and Williams, along with clutch free throws from Wheeler and Nelson, erased the deficit. Wheeler's layup and another Maciel three-pointer put Mt. SAC back in front before Jaison Joyce briefly reclaimed the lead for SBVC at the free-throw line with six minutes remaining.

With under four minutes to play, Maciel tied the game at 55-55 on a jumper. Shortly after, Gates knocked down a free throw that gave Mt. SAC the lead for good.

The Mounties held the Wolverines scoreless for nearly the final five minutes while closing the game on a dominant run to secure the 66-55 victory and a spot in the SoCal Regional Finals.

KEY PLAYERS:

• Dayvon Gates: Game-high 19 points, 5 assists
• Ryan Wheeler: 12 points, 14 rebounds (double-double)
• Osami Macier: 13 points, 3 assists, 1 steal
• Jaison Joyce: Team-high 15 points, 9 rebounds

NEXT UP:

The Mounties now face a major test in the 3C2A SoCal Regional Finals: a rematch against No. 2-seeded Citrus College (28-1) on Saturday, March 7 at 5:00 PM at Citrus College.

Mt. SAC opened its season against the Owls, falling 88-78. Citrus advanced to the Final Four at last year's state championship — hosted at Mt. SAC — and enters the matchup as one of the top teams in the state.

It's a full-circle moment with a trip to the State Championship on the line.

Mountie fans — make the trip and pack the gym as Mt. SAC fights for a chance to keep the postseason run alive.

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.