COD (1-10) put together an impressive first half, hitting 9 three-point shots, dominating on the boards and taking a 5 point lead going into the break, but things changed in the second half as the Roadrunners were handed a loss to the San Marcos Palomar Comets (5-6), 85-70.

The Roadrunners took off at the first half tip, and by the 14:30 mark they had built their largest lead of the game, 16-6. With 6:52 left in the first half, the Comets had tied the game at 23-23, but back-to-back three point shots by freshman starting guard Shaquille Russell (Reseda Cleveland) and sophomore starting forward Donovan Wilson (Michigan City, IN) gave the home team some breathing room. Another three-pointer just before halftime by sophomore starting forward Dajuan Fulgham (Montevallo, AL) gave Desert a five point lead going into the break, 39-34.

Palomar would open up the second half on a 7-2 run, tying the game at 41-41, but both teams would continue to go back-and-forth in an exciting and intense contest. Then the Roadrunners went on a 7-0 run of their own, midway through the second half, going from down three points to up four, 52-48, capped off by another 3-pointer by Russell. The game would once again be tied at 61-61, but that would be the last time as unfortunately, the Comets would go on a 12-3 run, and put the game out of reach for the home side.

Fulgham ended the first half with 19 points and would conclude his night as the leading scorer, with 23 points on 9 of 22 shooting, including an impressive 5 for 10 from beyond the arc and an equally impressive season high of five blocked shots. Russell contributed his first double-double of the season, scoring 13 points on 5 of 20 shooting, going 3 for 11 from three-point range and grabbing 10 total rebounds. Wilson added seven points on 3 of 5 shooting and 12 boards.

For the Roadrunners off of the bench, freshman guard Philippe Salawa (Fontana Azariel Blanchard Miller) put up 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting, going 4 for 5 from the free throw line and freshman forward Alex McGrath (Palm Desert H.S.) scored 10 points on 5 of 8 shooting.

Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.