The Knights extended their winning streak to six games on Friday night after surviving a strong effort from MiraCosta. Free throws in the final minute were the difference as the Knights edged MiraCosta, 78-74.
Four of the Knights' five starters scored in double figures with Christian Jones leading the way. He had 18 points, four rebounds and five steals. Mike Scott scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Martin Thomas had 15 points and dished out seven assists, while Chris Burton added 10 points.
The Knights fell behind by as many as eight points early in the first half, but came back to take a 39-33 halftime lead.
SDCC kept MiraCosta at an arm's distance for the first eight minutes of the second half, but the Spartans kept fighting and chipping away at the Knights' lead. MiraCosta eventually put together a 9-0 run to take their largest lead of the second half at 66-63 with 7:42 remaining.
With MiraCosta ahead, 74-72, the Knights' Mike Scott hit a jumper with 2:13 left to tie the game for the fifth time in the second half. With 46 seconds remaining, the Knights' Ivan Kulkin made 1-of-2 free throws to put the Knights ahead, 75-74.
Thomas added two more free throws with 24 seconds left and the Knights made a defensive stop on the Spartans' next possession. Kulkin, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, was fouled while grabbing the defensive rebound and made 1-of-2 free throws to put the game away.
The Knights improved to 14-6 overall and remained 4-0 in the PCAC South. MiraCosta dropped to 1-16 overall and stayed at 0-4 in the PCAC North.
In addition to the Knights' six-game win streak, they have now won nine of their last 10 games. Their next game is at Palomar on Wednesday, January 29 at 5 p.m.
