On Nov. 7, the Santa Monica College men’s basketball team prevailed against Palo Verde College, with efficient 3-point shooting and grit on the defensive end. The Corsairs dominated in the first half and took a 16-point lead, but the Pirates outscored SMC by 11 points in the second half. The final score was 84-79.
The Corsairs played 10 different players, taking advantage of their depth to consistently apply pressure on the ball. SMC knocked down 12 3-pointers on the night, having seven different players contributing to the total.
“Our ability to pressure is one of our greatest assets that we need to continue to capitalize on this year,” said SMC head coach Malik Bray, “We have a pretty good guard rotation with those guards it’s gotta be constant pressure.”
During the first half of the game, SMC made nine 3-pointers, which aided the team in building its lead. Scoring for the Corsairs came from everyone on the roster, with standout performances from the bench. Guards Jesus Quiernan and Jaxon Rous-Smith knocked down a combined five 3-pointers in the first half.
Coach Bray took advantage of his deep bench, noting that the Pirates only had nine guys on the roster. With 10 minutes left in the first half, the Corsairs led 23-15. The momentum shifted after a double technical was called on forward Daniel Anunba and PVC forward Travis Fralin.
Rous-Smith checked in and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to add to SMC’s lead. “This is what we needed. We need energy off the bench all the time, so when we come in, this is what we gotta do,” Rous-Smith said after the game.
Corsairs guard Davon Carwise provided energy on the defensive side, being active with deflections and applying pressure on the ball.
Several fouls in both halves sent Palo Verde to the free throw line and contributed to most of the Pirates’ points. Besides free throws, they were unable to gain consistent success on the offensive side, making the final score of the first half 48-32 after a buzzer-beater layup from Quiernan.
The Pirates defense shined to start the second half as they went on a 17-6 run, and cut the lead to five within the first five minutes. Before the game, Bray mentioned that SMC’s biggest issue so far had been coming out of halftime flat.
The second half was just as physical as the first. SMC guard Myan Whitfield picked up a technical foul, and the Corsairs put the Pirates in the bonus with 14 minutes left in the half.
“We have a bad habit of pressuring up and gambling for steals, we preach if you just guard, they’ll give you the ball,” Bray said. “Second half we got in our heads about it and got right back into foul trouble.”
Rous-Smith picked up the slack on offense and continued to find success behind the arc. He and Carwise had back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Corsairs an eight-point lead. Rous-Smith was the leading scorer for the Corsairs with 14 points.
Pirates guard Roderick Johnson hit a three and a pair of free throws to cut the lead to four with a minute left in the game. SMC guard Mehki Pok then drew a clutch charge with 32 seconds left on the clock and knocked down two free throws to seal the win, 84-79.
“We might have to start guarding like they used to guard James Harden a couple years ago,” coach Bray said after the game. “Tell our guys hands behind your back and just slide your feet because whenever we get handsy it gets ugly.”