Riverside, Calif. - The Golden Eagles picked up wins over Pacific Union College and Simpson University, by identical final scores, 88-82, in the final two regular season games of the year. The victories pushed the Golden Eagles record to 7-5 in Cal Pac play (8-18 overall), and secured the #2 seed in the upcoming Cal Pac Conference Tournament.
After an early back-and-forth, the Pioneers jumped out to a 29-20 lead midway through the first half. Over the next five minutes of play, the Golden Eagles cut the lead to one point. But the Pioneers regrouped to take a 42-38 lead into the halftime break.
The Golden Eagles quickly erased the deficit and built a 56-49 lead of their own with 11:54 remaining in the game. The Pioneers then mounted a 7-0 run to regain the lead and the back and forth continued. But an Andre Marquez basket with 3:28 remaining, gave La Sierra a 73-72 lead that they would never relinquish.
The game consisted of 12 lead changes and 10 ties. In the second half alone there were 9 lead changes and 8 ties. This win completes a season series sweep for the Golden Eagles over Pacific Union. La Sierra defeated the Pioneers, 63-62, back on January 16.
Gerald Williams and Marquez each scored 26 points and dished out three assists in Thursday's win over the Pioneers. Marquez also pulled down eight rebounds in the game.
Reynaldo Solorzano contributed a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Kyle Hamilton finished one rebound short of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The team shot an impressive 54-percent from the field in the 2nd half to finish at 46-percent for the game.
In a similar game, with an identical final score, the Golden Eagles closed out the regular season against Simpson University, with the #2 seed on the line. Prior to the game, each team had already qualified for the Cal Pac Tournament and would most likely meet in the semifinal round.
After the two teams went back-and-forth over the first 10 minutes of play, Simpson pushed out to a 32-22 lead with 8:19 to play in the first half. Over the next two-plus minutes, the Golden Eagles used a 10-0 run of their own, tying the score at 32-32. But the Redhawks answered right back with a 13-0 run and settled for a 50-42 lead at the half.
Over the first two minutes of the second half, La Sierra erased the deficit with an 10-0 run, taking a 52-50 lead. The two teams then exchanged a share of the lead, but by the midway point of the 2nd half, Simpson held a 69-63 lead. This time, La Sierra answered with a 9-1 run to regain the lead, only to see the Redhawks score five straight points, as the back-and-forth continued.
With under five minutes to play in the game, a Williams three-pointer tied the game at 80-80 with 3:36 to play. Simpson's Josh Brakkee scored on the next possession to give the Redhawks the lead once again. But that would prove to be the final two points that Simpson would score, as field goals by Lance Jones and Marquez, along with free-throws by Williams closed things out.
Williams had a season-high 31 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Marquez, who was recognized on senior night prior to the game, notched 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Jones added 14 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Kyle Hamilton led the team in rebounds with seven to go along with six points.
As a team, the Golden Eagles finished with an impressive 22 assists on 33 made baskets, in addition to 10 steals.
Similar to the Golden Eagles win on Thursday, the game consisted of 17 lead changed and 11 tie scores.
The win sets up a re-match between the two teams next Saturday night, at CSU Maritime, the host of the Cal Pac Championship Tournament. Saturday night's match-up, on a neutral court, will be the rubber-match, with each team having won on their home court.
