Vikings end Beavers winning streak in 89-72 ambush

Robert Hollar, Contributor

As LATTC's (13-3) 14-game winning streak dwindled to an end Friday night, the home crowd fell silent, leaving only the cheers of those supporting the victorious Long Beach City College Vikings (13-2) echoing off the walls. 

The win extends the LBCC winning streak to 5 games. 

Early on, LBCC had no answer for freshman Fredelin Dela Cruz. His 13 points scored from under the basket and from midrange made the score 25-13 and forced the first Viking timeout with 11:09 remaining in the first half. 

He would score just 5 more points before halftime. 

The bigger problem for the Vikings was its 7 early turnovers which resulted in 11 of the Beavers' first 29 points. LATTC defenders jumped passing lanes for most of the turnovers. LBCC secured the ball better after their timeout helping it trim the Beaver lead. 

The Beavers meanwhile, displayed an offense that lacked balance. Cruz was the only Beaver with more than 4 points in the half. LBCC had 6 such players.

One of those was #5 Jeremiah Sadler, who hit an open corner 3-pointer cutting the lead to 29-27 with 7 minutes remaining in the first. After a Viking offensive rebound a minute later, Sadler collected a pass down low and banked it in for the Vikings' first lead of the game, 31-29. 

LATTC responded to losing the lead with turnovers, fouls and sloppy defense. LBCC took a led at the half, 44-39. 

The Vikings attacked the Beavers to start the second, making two early 3-pointers bringing the score to 52-43. LBCC shot 39.1% from beyond the arc in the game while the Beavers hit threes at just a 14.2% clip. 

#1 Jace Bass was 3-6 from beyond the arc and extended the lead to double digits with his third three midway through the second.  His team-high 26 points padded the Viking victory.

LATTC will look to get back in the win column Wednesday in a 6 p.m. home game against Cerritos.