Warriors Fight Back but Eventually Fall to Long Beach

TORRANCE, Calif. – El Camino College tied things up late but it was not enough as the Warriors dropped a 100-97 South Coast Conference, South Division contest to Long Beach Wednesday night at the ECC North Gym.

The Warriors overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to knot things up at 96 with 1:02 left in regulation. But the Vikings got a go-ahead jumper from Jeremiah Sadler to regain the lead with 10 seconds remaining. The Warriors had their chance to tie as Justin Chambers went to the free throw line but he missed the front-end of his trip to the free throw line with 1.3 seconds left. He would make his second free throw but the Vikings hit two free throws to ice the game with 0.3 seconds left as the Warriors final inbounds pass was errant and time expired to give LBCC the win.

Chambers finished with 20 points as he hit 10-of-15 shots from the free throw line. Isiah Armstead led all scorers with 22 points to go along with four assists.

Sadler finished with 17 points while Jordan Heard led the Vikings with 19 points on the night. Matthew Wooten added 17 points and 13 rebounds and Jamiu Akinbile added 15 points.

The Warriors trailed at the half and fell behind by 10 with 11:46 left in the game but they were able to get back into the game thanks to free throws and turning the Vikings over. The Warriors got to the free-throw line 32 times in the second half, making 22 shots. They also turned the Vikings over 12 times and scored 20 points off the miscues but it would not be enough.

The game featured 10 ties and six lead changes but most of that came in the second half as Long Beach led throughout the final 20 minutes of action.

The Warriors will return to action on Friday evening as they host Compton College at the ECC North Gym. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.