Rough Second Half Sinks Warriors against Fresno

VISALIA, Calif. – El Camino College led at a halftime but a poor shooting effort in the second half proved to be the difference in a 103-85 loss to Fresno in the opening game of the Kirby Mannon/Pepsi Wyndham Hotel Tournament hosted by College of the Sequoias.

The Warriors (4-8) led by three at the half but shot just 29.4 percent in the second half as they were outscored 53-32 by the Rams in the final period.

Three Warriors scored in double figures, led by Troy Biglow's 19-point effort on 6-for-14 shooting. He hit four of his six attempts from beyond the arc. Tristan Egans added 15 points and Isiah Armstead scored 10 in the losing effort.

The game featured 12 ties and 15 lead changes, the majority of that coming in the second half. The Warriors built up an eight-point lead with 17:22 left in the game but the Rams mounted a 15-0 run in the span of 3:28 to take the lead and they never looked back.

The Warriors forced 24 Rams turnovers for 19 points but the Rams were able to capitalize more effectively off ECC miscues, forcing 20 turnovers from the Warriors and turned those into 28 points.

Tommy Nuno and Fred Lavender led the way offensively for the Rams, scoring 18 points apiece. Zach Savage added 14 points, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.

Friday's game also marked just the second time the Warriors did not score 100 or more points in a game. The first time was the season opener against Chaffey on Nov. 1. The Warriors are currently the top scoring team in the state.

The Warriors move on to the consolation bracket where they will face the loser of the Shasta-Cerritos game on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff for the Warriors next game is set for 1 p.m.