Back-to-Back Home Victories at Knights Invitational
San Diego City dropped its first game of the Knights Invitational to Cerro Coso on Thursday night, but responded with back-to-back victories over Palo Verde and Saddleback with Aamori Daniels and Dahlia Blake each recording double-doubles in those two wins.
San Diego City dropped its first game of the Knights Invitational to Cerro Coso on Thursday night, but responded with back-to-back victories over Palo Verde and Saddleback with Aamori Daniels and Dahlia Blake each recording double-doubles in those two wins.
After losing to Cerro Coso, 71-52, the Knights came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat Palo Verde, 79-73, in a tight game where neither team led by more than eight points. Aamori Daniels posted her best performance of the season as she scored a season-high 35 points, tied a season-best 17 rebounds, and blocked three shots.
The Knights were down eight to Palo Verde, but started the fourth quarter with a 13-0 run to take a 64-59 lead. The Knights eventually extended that lead to eight after a 3-point play by Daniels with 3:22 remaining.
Palo Verde got within three a minute later, but Daniels put the game away with a jumper with 23 seconds left. Dahlia Blake had 15 points and 10 rebounds in that win, while Liliana Maldonado contributed 11 points and nine assists.
On Sunday afternoon against Saddleback, the Knights put together another strong fourth quarter to hold off the Bobcats, 56-51. The Knights were down by three midway through the fourth period, but finished the game with a 9-1 run.
Deveney Gonzales tied it up at 50-50 after making three consecutive free throws and then Maddox Weisskopf nailed a big three-pointer with 1:41 left to put City ahead by three.
Justice Shorty later grabbed an offensive board and went up for a layup to give the Knights a 5-point advantage with 43 secondds remaining.
Saddleback missed their final eight field goal attempts and the Knights' defense forced them into five turnovers in the last 6:41 of the game.
Daniels led the Knights with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. Blake added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Knights will be off until December 5 when they will be home again for the Knights Crossover. They are set to host College of the Desert on December 5 at 7 p.m. and Barstow the following day at 3 p.m.