COD (0-7), still in search of their first win, will have to wait a little longer as one of their best efforts so far this season fell a little short, as the Roadrunners lost a close one to the Mt. San Antonio Mounties (7-3), 76-74.

The first half did not look good for the Roadrunners from the field, shooting only 29.7% (11-37) was putting them in a hard spot early, but a second half resurgence led to a spectacular second half.

About 5 minutes into the first half, Desert went ice cold as the Mounties went on a 10-0 run, making the score 21-11. The Roadrunners would go on a 7-2 run immediately after and get to within 5, 23-18, but Mt. San Antonio would extend their lead again. The Mounties would take a 13-point lead at the break, 42-29.

With 10:44 left in the game, Mt. San Antonio had extended that lead to 17-points, 60-43, then the Roadrunners started to whittle that lead down. Desert would go on a 25-3 run over the next six minutes, getting to within 6-points, 61-55, with 8:28 left in the game. A pair of three's by sophomore guard D'Shaun Barrett (Twentynine Palms H.S.) and sophomore guard D.J. Adams (Moreno Valley H.S.) got the game to within 2-points, 63-61 with 7:02 left and a layup by sophomore starting forward Abraham Bell (Twentynine Palms H.S.) with 6:03 left, tied the game at 63-63.

A layup and with an "And One," by Adams gave Desert the lead, 66-63 and a layup by sophomore starting guard Marquis McKinzey (Los Angeles John C. Fremont), extended that lead to 68-63 with 4:40 left.

With Desert holding onto a narrow, 74-71 lead with 32 seconds left, a critical pair of turnovers, one by McKinzey on a miscommunication on a set piece and after a Mounties missed three, a turnover by freshman starting center Garrett Hayden (Palm Desert H.S.) trying to make a forward a pass mid court after a rebound, put the Roadrunners defense in a tough spot.

Mt. San Antonio would grab a layup with 9 seconds left, but a Roadrunners foul on the play by freshman starting guard Joziaha Winfrey (Desert Hot Springs H.S.), gave the Mounties a three-point play, tying the game at 74-74.

After a Mt. San Antonio timeout, Adams missed a layup underneath the Desert basket and the Mounties called their final full timeout. Out of the timeout, Mt. San Antonio hit a running jumper with one second left and on the inbounds, McKinzey heaved the ball towards the net only to fall short.

Sophomore guard D'Shaun Barrett (Twentynine Palms H.S.) would lead the team, scoring 9 of his 20 points in the first half, shooting 7 of 13 from the field and going an amazing 4 of 8 from three-point range. He would lead the team in steals, with three and pick up four assists.

Freshman starting guard Joziaha Winfrey (Desert Hot Springs H.S.) would lead the starters, scoring 5 of his 12 points in the first half, shooting 5 of 10 from the field, snagging two steals.

Sophomore guard D.J. Adams (Moreno Valley H.S.) would score 4 of his 11 points in the first half, shooting 3 of 16 from the field and going a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

Sophomore starting guard Marquis McKinzey (Los Angeles John C. Fremont) would contribute 2 of his 9 points in the first half, shooting 3 of 13 from the field and grabbing two steals.

Freshman starting center Garrett Hayden (Palm Desert H.S.) would co-lead the team in total rebounds with 10, scoring 6 of his 8 points in the first half, shooting 3 for 5 from the field.

Sophomore starting forward Abraham Bell (Twentynine Palms H.S.) would co-lead the team in total rebounds with 10 and freshman forward Koby Alvarez (Rancho Mirage H.S.) would lead the team in assists with five.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Photo & Story provided by COD Sports Information.