Oceanside, CA – January 17, 2025

MiraCosta College secured a thrilling 72-70 victory over Palomar College in a tightly contested matchup at home. The Spartans battled through shooting struggles and defensive pressure to hold off a resilient Palomar team in a game that came down to the wire.

First Half: MiraCosta Takes a Slim Lead

The Spartans started strong, building a narrow 42-38 lead by halftime. While MiraCosta's shooting efficiency wasn't at its peak, their rebounding and defensive hustle helped them stay in control. Ramel Bethea was a force inside, leading the charge with his aggressive play in the paint. He finished the night with a dominant 20-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Second Half: A Battle to the Finish

The second half remained just as competitive, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Palomar refused to back down, cutting into MiraCosta's lead and making it a tense final few minutes. The Spartans struggled from the free-throw line, converting only 50% (14-28) of their attempts, nearly allowing Palomar to steal the game. However, timely defensive plays and key buckets helped MiraCosta hold on for the win.

Key Performers for MiraCosta

• Ramel Bethea – 20 points, 11 rebounds
• Benji Hilstock – 16 points, 4-9 from three, 7 rebounds
• John Hapgood – 16 points, 3-5 from three
• Naby Diaw – 9 points, 12 rebounds
• DaVaughn McCrumb – 6 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals

Team Performance Notes

• Rebounding Dominance: MiraCosta out-rebounded Palomar 49-32, a crucial factor in their victory.
• Shooting Struggles: The Spartans shot 34.2% from the field and 32.0% from three, making their defensive efforts even more critical.
• Defensive Impact: The team recorded 11 blocks and 9 steals, keeping Palomar's offense in check.

Looking Ahead

Despite their shooting woes, MiraCosta's resilience and defensive presence allowed them to pull off a hard-fought victory. They will look to fine-tune their offense as they prepare for upcoming conference play. Meanwhile, Palomar will take away key lessons from this close contest as they move forward in the season.

Final Score: MiraCosta 72, Palomar 70