No. 1 CCSF takes down No. 2 West Valley in early-season showdown

Miles Amos (5) led the Rams with 27 points in the win at West Valley College. (Photo by Eric Sun)
Miles Amos (5) led the Rams with 27 points in the win at West Valley College. (Photo by Eric Sun)

SARATOGA – No. 1 state-ranked City College of San Francisco passed an early season test, taking down defending state champion and No. 2-ranked West Valley College on the road by a final score of 89-85 on Friday night.

The Rams improved to 8-0 to open the season while West Valley lost for the second time to fall to 5-2.

The game could likely be a preview of a Northern California playoff or state championship matchup to come. And the two squads played it that way.

CCSF led 38-33 at halftime and held on to a narrow 66-63 advantage at the 6:28 mark in the second. But an 11-1 run by the Rams over the next three minutes gave them some breathing room at 77-64 with 3:17 to play.

With two minutes remaining, the Rams held a comfortable 79-68 lead before West Valley responded with a barrage of three-pointers. The Vikings got within four-points at 84-80 with 34 seconds left and were within two, 87-85, with 13 seconds to play after consecutive 3s.

But Miles Amos sank a pair of free throws with 3 seconds left on the clock to secure the Rams' win.

Amos led CCSF with 27 points as he was 12 for 14 from the free throw line. He added 4 rebounds and 3 assists. King-Njhsanni Wilhite had 16 points while Rickey Mitchell Jr. totaled 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.

CCSF will take some time off for the Thanksgiving break and will be back in action on Dec. 5-6 to host the Golden Gate Classic. The Rams take on Feather River College on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will face College of the Redwoods on Friday at 6 p.m.